Effects of permanent deafferentation of the anterior preoptic area on serum aldosterone levels in the crested newt (Triturus cristatus carnifex Laur.).

By cutting off the fiber systems running along the medial forebrain bundle of the urodele amphibian Triturus cristatus, a wide deafferentation of the preoptic area was evoked. This operation elicited a decrease in aldosterone serum level, probably through a reduction of ACTH secretion. At present we are not able to ascertain whether such reduction was prompted by changes in the hypothalamic production of the neurohypophysial hormones or the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF).