Differential effects of lateral and ventromedial hypothalamic lesions on gastrointestinal transit in the rat

Lateral hypothalamic lesions that produce aphagia reduce gastric retention and increase intestinal transit of a 10 ml liquid load in anesthetized rats. Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions which produce hyperphagia and obesity have the opposite effects. These results are apparent within minutes after lesioning as well as after postoperative stabilization of body weight (26--41 days). These data suggest that changes in gastrointestinal motor function(s) may contribute to the changes in food intake which follow hypothalamic damage.