Turkish Neurosurgery
Effect of lesion of ventral tegmental area on food intake, water intake, body weight and alcohol consumption in Wistar albino rats
Santosh Mayannavar1, Murlimanju Bukkambudhi2, Gaurav Sharma 3, Ganaraja Bolumbu4
1Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital , Physiology, Silvassa, Dadara Nagar Haveli,
2Kasturba Medical College (Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal), Anatomy, Mangaluru,
3Countess of Chester NHS Hospital, Chester, Orthopedics, Cheshire,
4Kasturba Medical College (Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal), Physiology, Mangaluru,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.31074-20.2
Aim:This investigation aimed to study the effect of lesion of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on food intake, water intake, alcohol consumption, and alcohol preference in the post-lesion period.Material and Methods:A group of 38 young adult healthy male Wistar albino rats was included in this experiment. The groups of rats were subjected to the bilateral electrolytic lesion of VTA, and the effect on water intake, food intake, alcohol consumption, and alcohol preference in the post-lesion period was analyzed. A sham lesioned control group was maintained for all experimental groups. Results:There was no change observed in food intake and the body weight in lesioned animals (p>0.05). It was found that increased water intake was observed if only water was given. There was also increased alcohol intake when alcohol was only provided (p<0.05). However, two bottle-free choice tests for alcohol preference revealed that the rats preferred to consume water and not alcohol when the choice was given. There was an increase in the total volume consumed (p<0.05). Conclusion:There was an increase in water intake and no notable changes in the food intake and body weight following the lesion. When offered alone, alcohol consumption was raised, but when a choice of alcohol and water was given in a two-bottle free-choice test, rats preferred to drink water. The present study suggests that VTA lesions may be associated with increased thirst and high fluid consumption, which may have implications in water balance.
Corresponding author : Ganaraja Bolumbu