Septal lesions and the recovery of function in the juvenile hamster

Recovery of function of social behavior, hoarding, nesting, and weight gain was investigated in the juvenile hamster following bilateral septal lesions. Hamsters receiving septal lesions during the juvenile period showed as much disruption in behavior as animals receiving septal lesions as adults. As compared to control animals, both septal lesioned groups were more aggressive, showed a reduction in hoarding behavior, lost the ability to build nests, and gained significantly more weight.