title: Regulation of male fertility by the endocannabinoid system.
abstract: Mammalian conception is a complex process regulated by both sexual behavior and reproductive performance. Alcohol, marijuana and tobacco are among the main factors which affect negatively fertility in women and men. Several studies have demonstrated that marijuana impairs the male copulatory activity, and that smokers of this illegal drug show reduced fertility due, for instance, to decrease in sperm concentration, defective sperm function or alteration of sperm morphology. The discovery of endocannabinoids and all components responsible for their metabolism has allowed to collect valuable information on the effects of these endogenous lipids, able to mimic the actions of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in reproductive functions. The purpose of this review is to describe the actions of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids on the control of procreation and hormonal release during the fertilization process in males.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Battista
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rapino
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Tommaso
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bari
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pasquariello
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maccarrone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones