POMC neurons control fertility through differential signaling of MC4R in Kisspeptin neurons.

ABSTRACT: Inactivating mutations in the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene cause monogenic obesity. Interestingly, female patients also display various degrees of reproductive disorders, in line with the subfertile phenotype of MC4RKO female mice. However, the cellular mechanisms by which MC4R regulates reproduction are unknown. Kiss1 neurons directly stimulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release through two distinct populations; the Kiss1^ARH neurons, controlling GnRH pulses, and the sexually dimorphic Kiss1^AVPV/PeN neurons controlling the preovulatory LH surge. Here, we show that Mc4r expressed in Kiss1 neurons regulates fertility in females. In vivo, deletion of Mc4r from Kiss1 neurons in female mice replicates the reproductive impairmen

SUBMITTER: Talbi R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11195098 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature