The mitotic index of Yoshida ascites tumor cells was significantly higher in rats that underwent tuberoinfundibular destruction than those lesioned in other regions of the hypothalamus or in the cerebral hemispheres or in sham-operated animals. Survival was shorter in the rats lesioned in the tuberoinfundibular and posterior hypothalamic regions. The rise in the mitotic index of Yoshida ascites tumor cells is consistent with the results of previous work showing significantly increased cell proliferation in the normal tissues of animals lesioned in the tuberoinfundibular region.