Preliminary Report on Hypothalamic Hyperphagia in Ruminants

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Abstract
Sustained hypothalamic hyperphagia has not previously been shown in ruminants. To study this aspect of the regulation of feed intake by ruminants, a technique was developed for implanting electrodes in the hypothalamus of goats. The goats were fed ad libitum. Two of the goats markedly increased their feed and water intakes and body weights. After maintaining a stable weight (20 kg) in our laboratory for 10 weeks, one goat immediately following electrode implantations gained about 10 kg in 2 weeks. The goat continued to gain weight for another 2 months; it nearly doubled its body weight. Its feed and water intakes decreased after 2 months to about 1/2 those during the 1st month of hyperphagia. A lesion in the left ventromedial area of the hypothalamus was histologically confirmed. A 2nd goat gained 6 kg in 11 days following bilateral electrolytic lesions (histologically confirmed) in the medial hypothalamus. The weight was then stable for 4 weeks. The feed and water intakes increased significantly following lesioning. Apparently the hypothalamus functions similarly in food intake regulation of ruminant and monogastric animals although stimuli acting on the hypothalamus may be different.

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