Effect of septal lesions on thirst in the rat as indicated by water consumption and operant responding for water reward.

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Abstract
Rats with bilateral septal lesions consumed greater amounts of water than con- trols during free and restricted access to water and also emitted a greater number of lever responses for water reward on FI (fixed interval) and CRF (continuous reinforcement) schedules. On DRL (differential reinforcement of low rate), septal output was unaffected or reduced below control values. Equalizing thirst through differential prewatering equalized lever-pressing output of septal and control Ss on FI and CRF. Behavioral changes following septal lesions tended to be such as to give Ss more water and appeared to be related primarily to increased thirst. Implications for interpretation of shock produced suppressions in lever pressing for water reward are discussed.

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