Hyperphagia in ruminants induced by a depressant.

Attempts at causing ventromedial hyperphagia in ruminants have been hitherto unsuccessful. In our experiments perfusion of the ventriculocisternal system with pentobarbital caused marked hyperphagia. This suggests that the ventromedial hypothalamic area is functioning in ruminants, probably as in monogastric animals, by inhibiting the lateral area.