Melanocortin 4 receptor is not required for estrogenic regulations on energy homeostasis and reproduction

Metabolism. 2017 May:70:152-159. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2016.12.004. Epub 2016 Dec 13.

Abstract

Background: Brain estrogen receptor-α (ERα) is essential for estrogenic regulation of energy homeostasis and reproduction. We previously showed that ERα expressed by pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons mediates estrogen's effects on food intake, body weight, negative regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG axis) and fertility.

Results and conclusions: We report here that global deletion of a key downstream receptor for POMC peptide, the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), did not affect normal negative feedback regulation of estrogen on the HPG axis, estrous cyclicity and female fertility. Furthermore, loss of the MC4R did not influence estrogenic regulation on food intake and body weight. These results indicate that the MC4R is not required for estrogen's effects on metabolic and reproductive functions.

Keywords: Energy homeostasis; Estrogen; MC4R; Reproduction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Eating
  • Energy Metabolism
  • Estrogens*
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Female
  • Homeostasis*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pregnancy
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin
  • Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4 / physiology*
  • Reproduction*

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin