The medial preoptic area modulates autonomic function under resting and stress conditions.

•Inhibition of the mPOA neurotransmission caused tachycardia, without affecting blood pressure.•Treatment of mPOA with CoCl2 caused hyperthermia (increased Tbody) and a Ttail decrease.•The pharmacological inhibition of the mPOA with CoCl2 increased the sympathetic component of the cardiac baroreflex.•Pretreatment of the mPOA with CoCl2 increased tachycardiac without affecting the RS-evoked pressor response.•CoCl2 administration into mPOA increased hyperthermic responses and reduced the fall in Ttail evoked by RS.