Forebrain lesions and food intake in pigeons

Thirty pigeons were randomly assigned to one of four groups: those receiving bilateral ablation of the archistriatum, the neostriatum, the nucleus stria terminalis, or those receiving a sham operation. All groups showed a non-significant temporary postoperative decrease in food intake, a non-specific effect attributed to the surgery. However, the duration of the hypophagia in the archistriatum- and nucleus stria terminalis-ablated groups was slightly longer (four weeks instead of three). A slight increase in body weight occurred in the nucleus stria terminalis-lesioned group, in spite of decreased food intake. These results, especially that there is no persistent hypophagia following archistriatum and nucleus stria terminalis lesions, are discussed in relation to the suspected role of several forebrain structures in feeding behavior.