Limbic Npy1r mediates maternal care-induced programming of body weight and emotional behavior

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays an important role in anxiety and energy homeostasis via activation of the Y1 receptor (Npy1r). We report that the expression of limbic Npy1r is upregulated in adult male offspring that have experienced during early life intense maternal care, such as high arched-back nursing (ABN). In genetically identical littermates, Npy1r upregulation was correlated with reduced anxiety, increased body weight gain, higher serum leptin and lower hypothalamic NPY and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) levels. When the upregulation of limbic Npy1r was abolished three weeks after birth by conditional Npy1r gene inactivation, the maternal care induced programming of physiological functions was reverted in mice having experienced high ABN. Thus, limbic Npy1r is a key target for lifelong effects of maternal care on anxiety and energy homeostasis.