Interaction between metabolic and fertility circuitries

Peptidergic systems of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus play a pivotal role in the neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction and energy homeostasis. The goal of this research project is to identify the neurons, neurotransmitters, and transmitter receptors involved in the interaction of the two regulatory systems, using neuroanatomical and transcriptomic methods on post mortem human hypothalamic tissues. A better understanding of the bidirectional communication between reproductive and metabolic neuronal circuitries will help us understand the pathomechanisms of infertility caused by negative energy balance (e.g. due to anorexia nervosa or excessive sport activity) and obesity caused by low sex steroid levels (e.g. after menopause). Information from this research program will also help us identify new molecular targets for pharmaceutical interventions.