AR and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: This suggested that locally activated androgen receptors may support the negative feedback regulation of glucocorticoid production via upregulation of their receptor expression in the pituitary gland.86 These findings add significant support for the conclusion that, via their own receptors, androgens play an important role in the regulation of HPA axis activity, and that alterations of this regulatory pathway may lead to the development of obesity, at least in mice.