Transcriptional plasticity of melanin-concentrating hormone neurons in the medial preoptic area of lactating mouse dams

The medial preoptic area (MPOA) is a central hub for maternal behavior, integrating hormonal and sensory signals to coordinate adaptive postpartum responses. Although melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons are well characterized in the lateral hypothalamus, their identity and functional engagement within MPOA circuits remain poorly defined. Here, through integrative reanalysis of a publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing dataset of the mouse MPOA (GSE295610), we identify two transcriptionally distinct Pmch-expressing neuronal populations. Both populations are GABAergic and emerge prominently during mid to late lactation. Lactation is characterized by significant upregulation of Pm