The effects of lesions to the striatum on the function of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system in adrenalectomized rats.

Experiments on white rats were performed to study the effects of bilateral lesioning of the striatum on activation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system (HHAS) after unilateral adrenalectomy. These studies showed that increases in the weight of the surviving adrenal gland were smaller in striatectomized rats than in controls. There was a significant decrease in corticosteroid production by the intact gland. These changes were most marked after destruction of the dorsal parts of the nucleus. These data provide evidence for involvement of the striatum in controlling HHAS activity via a feedback mechanism.