Endocrine Abstracts

Reproduction is a very energy costly function for the organism and, therefore, very tightly regulated by central and peripheral cues that ultimately determine the proper pattern of kisspeptin and GnRH release. Among these, metabolic cues play a critical role in the control of reproductive function, through the interplay of satiety and hunger signals. Further, the interaction between reproductive and metabolic functions is bidirectional, as kisspeptin has also emerged as a novel satiety factor. However, despite the critical role of these neuronal networks for the survival of the individual, the precise mechanisms underlying the control of reproduction and food intake remain incompletely understood. Recent studies from our lab have extended the characterization of this bidirectional regulatory process and identified, on one hand, a novel leptin-responsive population of PACAP neurons in the ventral premammillary nucleus that targets Kiss1 neurons to regulate reproduction—as part of the metabolic control of reproduction. On the other hand, we have documented an active role of Kiss1 neurons in the metabolic (anorexigenic) action of melanocortins through MC4R—as part of the reproductive control of metabolism. Overall, understanding the neuronal pathways and mechanisms underlying this bidirectional interaction of metabolism and reproduction is critical for the development of new approaches to treat metabolic and reproductive disorders with a central origin.