Reproduction induces increased food intake across females of many animal species1-4, providing a physiologically relevant paradigm for the exploration of appetite regulation. Here, by examining the diversity of enteric neurons in Drosophila melanogaster, we identify a key role for gut-innervating neurons with sex- and reproductive state-specific activity in sustaining the increased food intake of mothers during reproduction. Steroid and enteroendocrine hormones functionally remodel these neurons, which leads to the release of their neuropeptide onto the muscles of the crop-a stomach-like organ-after mating. Neuropeptide release changes the dynamics of crop enlargement, resulting in increased food intake, and preventing the post-mating remodelling of enteric neurons reduces both reproductive hyperphagia and reproductive fitness. The plasticity of enteric neurons is therefore key to reproductive success. Our findings provide a mechanism to attain the positive energy balance that sustains gestation, dysregulation of which could contribute to infertility or weight gain.

中文翻译：

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肠道神经元在繁殖过程中增加母体食物摄入量


繁殖会导致许多动物物种的雌性食物摄入量增加1-4，为探索食欲调节提供了生理相关的范例。在这里，通过检查果蝇肠道神经元的多样性，我们确定了具有性别和生殖状态特异性活性的肠道神经神经元在维持母亲在生殖过程中增加的食物摄入量方面的关键作用。类固醇和肠内分泌激素对这些神经元进行功能性重塑，从而在交配后将其神经肽释放到嗉囊的肌肉上（类似胃的器官）。神经肽的释放改变了嗉囊膨大的动态，导致食物摄入量增加，并防止肠道神经元的交配后重塑，从而降低生殖贪食和生殖适应性。因此，肠神经元的可塑性是繁殖成功的关键。我们的研究结果提供了一种实现维持妊娠的正能量平衡的机制，其失调可能导致不孕或体重增加。