Role of medial preoptic area (MPOA) in the reproductive function and feeding behavior in rats

Adult female rats were given ad lib access to two pairs of specially prepared diets containing the three macro-nutrients, protein, fat and carbohydrate, in such proportion that both pairs were isocaloric but one pair varied in protein content (45% and 5%) and the other pair in carbohydrate content (70% and 25%). Body weights, food intake and selectivity were noted daily. Following lesions of Medial Preoptic Area (MPOA), there was an increase in the total food and protein intake and disruption of the regular estrus cycles. In the second series, the total food intake increased after ovariectomy and decreased following intracranial estrogen instillation in the MPOA. A change in the selectivity of the diets was also noted. The observations are suggestive of the role of MPOA in the food intake and selectivity and this is probably effected through the estrogen receptors situated therein.