Compared to their controls, female septal rats: (1) showed increased food and water consumption; (2) had a higher response output for water on a CRF schedule; and (3) obtained a greater number of rewards during FI responding. In contrast, male septal animals only differed from their controls by showing increased water intake. In comparison to the septal males, the female lesion rats showed significantly increased food consumption, greater per cent increases in CRF responding, and a higher response output on FI schedules. The data were interpreted as indicating that the magnitude of effects following lesions in the septal area is greater in female than in male rats. Clearly, lesion effects are determined in part by the sex of the organism studied.