Physiology Seminar: Role of prolactin neurons in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus in driving maternal behaviour
Role of prolactin neurons in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus (MPOA) in driving maternal behaviour
Mothers provide essential early postnatal care, and impaired maternal care during early childhood can have long-term effects on the growth and development of offspring.
The medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus (MPOA) is a nexus for driving maternal behaviour. Prolactin, acting through its receptor in the MPOA, governs distinct and crucial maternal behaviour in mice. However, the sensory modalities (i.e. visual, auditory, olfactory, sensory) underpinning such responses are unknown.
Here, using fiber photometry recordings of Ca2+ transients in freely behaving female mice, I examine how sensory cues alter the activity of prolactin-sensitive MPOA neurons, and how this changes across reproduction.