Nature: Scientists map out the brain circuits that drive the activities of reproductive women

For a century, scientists have known that female animals become more active during ovulation.

Now, a team at the University of California, San Francisco has identified specific neurons and signaling pathways that allow females of many species to run around at this critical moment

"Why do you want to stand up and walk around?" asked Dr.

This finding also clarifies that the loss of estrogen disrupts the circuit of menopause.

"When we discover the role of estrogen in the brain, we may discover more of its benefits," Ingraham said

When estrogen enters the brain, it interacts with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) to activate a gene called Mc4r

Dr.

To their surprise, the research team also found that VMHvl neurons activated by this circuit entered the hippocampus part of the hippocampus with "speed cells" that control the speed of the mice

The central gene of this circuit, Mc4r, is known for its role in regulating the energy, appetite and weight of adult women.

The MC4R receptor is also a target of bremelanotide

In order to determine that these neurons did make the mice more active, the researchers used a chemical genetic technique called dreadd (the designer receptor exclusively activated by the designer drug) to make VMHvl neurons express a receptor, which is The body can only be activated by harmless chemicals added to their water

When their VMHvl neurons were stimulated in this way, both male and female mice became more active, and female mice lost nearly 10% of their body weight after 24 hours of continuous injection

The same situation occurred in female mice that lacked ovaries and were fed a high-fat diet

The team also used CRISPRa technology to increase the activity of Mc4r

"These data are exciting not only because they highlight the key role of Mc4r in these activity-promoting neurons, but also because they also indicate that gene therapy tools may be suitable for targeting favorable factors downstream of estrogen signaling

These beneficial results have increased the debate about hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms

"Estrogen has a profound effect on human behavior and will affect your health
.
At least let us know what it is doing, so maybe we can bypass it in another way, through another drug, another Target to obtain the positive effects of estrogen
.
"

Original title:

Oestrogen engages brain MC4R signalling to drive physical activity in female mice