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Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamus play a role in both the control of metabolic state and sexual behavior. Along with the fast neurotransmitters glutamate and/or GABA, POMC neurons secrete cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and products of the POMC gene, including β-endorphin and α-melanocortin stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Published data from our lab demonstrate a lack of sexual interest in male mice when both the leptin receptor and insulin receptor are deleted from POMC neurons. Furthermore, this absence of interest correlates with a decrease in the POMC product α-MSH. However, it is not known whether these effects correspond to an increase in POMC neural activation. We hypothesized that activation of POMC neurons in male mice would lead to improved sexual interest. We have crossed mice with cre-dependent expression of the excitatory designer receptor, hM3Dq, with mice expressing cre under control of the POMC promoter. When these mice are administered intraperitoneal clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), POMC neurons exhibit increased activation. We completed a comprehensive mating analysis to measure the sexual desire and erectile and ejaculatory capabilities of these male mice under CNO or saline administration. Additionally, we sacrificed the mice after injection of CNO or saline to perform immunostaining for the protein c-fos as an indicator of neural activation. As expected, activation of POMC neurons with CNO increased c-fos expression, while the impact on male sexual interest was more nuanced. These experiments emphasize the need to investigate the specific neuropeptide and transmitter output by POMC neurons that influences sexual behavior and function.

Pro-Opiomelanocortin Neural Activation and Sexual Interest in Male Mice