The effects of estrogenic stimulation on the dynamic phase of hypothalamic hyperphagia in female rates

Abstract

The present investigation was concerned with the influence of estrogenic stimulation on food intake and body weight of female rats with ventromedial hypothalamic lesions. The lesion animals were clearly hyperphagic although estrogen was somewhat effective in suppressing food intake and body weight gain. The percentage fat of lesion animals was found to be considerably higher than that of non-lesion animals. The mobilization of free fatty acids was found to be much higher in non-lesion groups, although estrogen was effective in increasing mobilization rates in both lesion and non-lesion animals. It was suggested that the onset of the "static phase" of hypothalamic hyperphagia may be accelerated by estrogenic stimulation. The possible mechanism may involve increased immunoreaction to insulin by adipose cells which is brought on by estrogen stimulation.