Our laboratory is dedicated to the hodological, neurochemical, and functional study of a diencephalic region called the incerto-hypothalamic area (IHy). Hodological studies suggest a sexual dimorphism of IHy projections, with areas relevant to reproductive control more densely innervated in females. Functional studies indicate that IHy regulates estrous cycle maintenance through the peptidergic system of the MCH, under the influence of estrogen and energy metabolism. Our lab studies the neurochemical characteristics of IHy connections and the variation of MCH gene expression in IHy in physiological and negative energetic balance situations.