Food and water intake microinjection of fenitrothion into the hypothalamus

Two experiments were carried out to observe the effect of the application of an anticholinesterasic agent on water and food intake in rats. The first studied the effect of fenitrothion injected into the L.H.A. on water and food intake. An increase in water intake was observed in the 6th hour, while food intake decreased in the first and 24th hours. The same study was performed in the V.M.N. In this case, only an alteration in food intake occurred, with a decrease in the first hour, followed by an increase in the other two periods. These results suggest a cholinergic interaction between these two structures in the regulation of water and food intake, and also a central action of cholinesterasic agents when applied systemically.