Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II (GnRH-II) is the most evolutionarily-conserved member of the GnRH peptide family. In mammals, GnRH-II has been shown to regulate reproductive and feeding behaviors. In female musk shrews, GnRH-II treatment increases mating behaviors and decreases food intake. Although GnRH-II-containing neurons are known to reside in the midbrain, the neural sites of GnRH-II action are undetermined, as is the degree to which GnRH-II is regulated by energy availability. To determine whether GnRH-II function is affected by changes in food intake, we analyzed the levels of GnRH-II mRNA in the midbrain and GnRH-II protein in numerous target regions. Adult musk shrews were ad libitum fed, food-restricted, or food-restricted and re-fed for varying durations. Compared with ad libitum levels, food-restriction decreased, and 90 min of re-feeding reinstated, GnRH-II mRNA levels in midbrain and GnRH-II peptide in several target areas including the medial habenula and ventromedial nucleus. Re-feeding for 90 min also reinstated female sexual behavior in underfed shrews. In male shrews, abundant GnRH-II peptide was present in all sites assayed, including the POA, a region with only low GnRH-II in females. In contrast to females, food-restriction did not affect GnRH-II protein in male brains or inhibit their mating behavior. Our results further define the relationship between GnRH-II, energy-balance, and reproduction, and suggest that food-restriction may inhibit female reproduction by reducing GnRH-II output to several brain nuclei. We postulate that this highly-conserved neuropeptide functions similarly in other mammals, including humans, to fine-tune reproductive efforts with periods of sufficient energy resources.