Hypothalamic Expression of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Pro-OpioMelanoCortin (POMC) in Adult Male Mice Is Affected by Chronic Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors.

In the arcuate nucleus, neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons, increase food intake and decrease energy expenditure, and control the activity of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, that decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure. Both systems project to other hypothalamic nuclei such as the paraventricular and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental contaminants that alter the endocrine system causing adverse health effects in an intact organism or its progeny.