Food intake and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity after hypothalamic estradiol benzoate implants in rats

Abstract

Unilateral implants of estradiol benzoate in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) reduced food intake in ovariectomized rats. The implants did not produce cornification of the vaginal epithelium. Furthermore, the reduction in food intake was observed in the absence of changes in adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity or cytoplasmic progestin receptor levels. These results suggest that, while estradiol may normally act at both central and peripheral sites to affect food intake and body weight, estrogenic stimulation of just the VMH may be sufficient to reduce food intake in ovariectomized rats.