Enteric neurons increase maternal food intake during reproduction.

ABSTRACT: Reproduction induces increased food intake across females of many animal species^1-4, providing a physiologically relevant paradigm for the exploration of appetite regulation. Here, by examining the diversity of enteric neurons in Drosophila melanogaster, we identify a key role for gut-innervating neurons with sex- and reproductive state-specific activity in sustaining the increased food intake of mothers during reproduction. Steroid and enteroendocrine hormones functionally remodel these neurons, which leads to the release of their neuropeptide onto the muscles of the crop-a stomach-like organ-after mating. Neuropeptide release changes the dynamics of crop enlargement, resulting in increased food intake, and preventing the post-mating remodelling of enteric neurons reduces both

SUBMITTER: Hadjieconomou D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7610780 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature