Hypothalamic POMC deficiency increases circulating adiponectin despite obesity

•Obese female hypothalamic-specific Pomc-deficient mice have unexpectedly elevated circulating adiponectin.•Restoration of Pomc expression in the hypothalamus reduces plasma adiponectin.•Low sympathetic output to subcutaneous fat depots in the Pomc-deficient mice contributes to high adiponectin levels.•Deletion of adiponectin in hypothalamic-specific Pomc-deficient mice does not alter their metabolic phenotype.