Role of mid-dorsal caudate nucleus in maintenance of body weight in rats on administration of foods with different caloric densities.

Rats were fed with food of different caloric densities by addition of kaolin or groundnut oil to the normal food powder. The food intake, caloric intake and body weights were noted. These observations were compared before and after bilateral destruction of mid-dorsal caudate nucleus. The food intake before caudatal lesion varied appropriately with the caloric density of food thus maintaining caloric intake and body weight. After mid-dorsal caudatal destruction this feedback mechanism of maintaining body weight was operative with low caloric density diet but not with high caloric diet.