ICV CCL2 administration (0.1 μg/μl, E14) compared to ICV Control and No-ICV Control groups (n = 7/sex/group) increases the density of CCL2+ and MCH+ cells in the LH of E19 embryos. A, CCL2 ICV compared to control groups significantly increases the density of CCL2+ cells in the LH of female but not male embryos. B, Photomicrographs (20x) illustrate the CCL2+ cells in the LH of E19 embryos in the three groups, with individual cells in Control embryos identified by white arrows. C, ICV CCL2 compared to control groups significantly increases the density of MCH+ neurons in the LH of both female and male embryos, with the females showing a significantly greater effect. D, Photomicrographs (20x) illustrate the MCH+ neurons (and their processes) in the LH of female embryos in the three groups, with individual cells in Control embryos identified by white arrows. Abbreviations: CCL2, C-C motif ligand 2; MCH, melanin-concentrating hormone; mHYP, medial hypothalamus; NEP, neuroepithelium. Scale bars, 100 μm. Data are mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05 versus control group. #, p < 0.05 versus males