On the separation of functions mediated by the AV3V region

Knife-cuts were used to separate the disruptive effects on fluid balance that are produced by electrolytic lesions of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region. It was observed that vertical cuts of the dorsal stalk of the subfornical organ (SFO) produced none of these effects. Horizontal cuts between the SFO and the anterior commissure produced neither of the acute effects of AV3V lesions (adipsia and diuretic weight loss) but they did mimic AV3V lesions in disrupting drinking responses to peripherally injected angiotensin and hypertonic saline. In contrast, horizontal cuts between the anterior commissure and the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) did not reduce drinking responses to angiotensin but they did cause a large weight loss during the 24 hours following surgery. It is suggested that these ventral cuts severed neural connections between the medial septum and the ventral medial preoptic area in producing the large weight loss. Together with findings from other experiments, these findings support the hypothesis that distinct neural elements mediate the various functions that are disrupted by lesions of the AV3V region.