PVH LESIONS DO NOT INHIBIT STRESSOR-INDUCED GROOMING IN THE RAT

Electrical and chemical stimulation of specific parts of the paraventr icular hypothalamus (PVH) and the adjacent hypothalamus induce self-gr ooming responses in the rat. The function of this hypothalamic groomin g area (HGA) is not understood. The localization of the HGA in the hyp othalamus suggests that grooming, a behavioural response to stressors, is somehow linked to the neuroendocrine response to stressors. In thi s study it is shown that grooming induced by the stressors, mild restr aint and moistening of the fur of the rat, is not inhibited by complet e, bilateral radiofrequency lesions of the HGA. The changes in groomin g patterns observed following lesions suggest that the HGA may have a function in the timing of different grooming elements.