Effects of rhinencephalic lesions on endocrine and somatic development in the rat

Abstract

Lesions to the olfactory stalk, medial olfactory area, and hippocampus were produced in rats at 3–19 days of age. Delayed puberty occurred in the females with bilateral olfactory stalk and medial olfactory area lesions. Unilateral lesions of the olfactory stalk were also effective in delaying vaginal opening. Deficiencies in growth and smaller endocrine organs occurred in both sexes with a variety of lesions. Early handling affected final body and adrenal weights in both operated and control rats.