Melanocortin Regulation of Reproduction

生殖由大脑通过促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）控制。来自脂肪的瘦素作用于大脑，“告知”GnRH细胞代谢状态;低水平信号缺乏能量储存并抑制生殖。瘦素治疗可恢复瘦个体的生殖功能，但其机制尚不清楚。我们的数据表明黑皮质素是将代谢状态信息传递给GnRH细胞的一种手段，本项目研究了这一途径。

Reproduction is controlled by the brain through the hormone gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Leptin from fat acts on the brain to 'inform' GnRH cells of metabolic state; low levels signal lack of energy stores and suppress reproduction. Leptin treatment of lean individuals restores reproductive function, but the mechanism is not clear. Our data implicate the melanocortins as a means of transmitting information on metabolic state to GnRH cells and the project investigates this pathway.