bioRxivAnimal Behavior & CognitionPreprint
POMC neurons modulate infant vocalizations through opioid signaling
Abstract
Infants cry when separated from their mothers. Here, we show that POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus--via {beta}-endorphin production and signaling--modulate the crying behavior of mouse pups. The effect of POMC neurons on vocal behavior depends on the expression of {micro}-opioid receptors, the main receptor for {beta}-endorphin. Thus, POMC neurons in the hypothalamus modulate infant cry through opioid signaling.
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