Genes upregulated in response to the first ACTH challenge were associated with protection from oxidative damage, fatty acid oxidation, immune response, adipogenesis, nutrient transport, sphingolipid and ketone metabolism, cell differentiation, cytoskeletal and ECM remodeling, and insulin resistance and obesity in other animals, while downregulated genes were associated with ECM remodeling and cell migration. Here, POMC is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.