The role of endocannabinoids in gonadal function and fertility along the evolutionary axis.
Endocannabinoids are natural lipids able to bind to cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors. Their biological actions at the central and peripheral level are under the tight control of the proteins responsible for their synthesis, transport and degradation. In the last few years, several reports have pointed out these lipid mediators as critical signals, together with sex hormones and cytokines, in various aspects of animal and human reproduction. The identification of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in reproductive cells and tissues of invertebrates, vertebrates and mammals highlights the key role played by these endogenous compounds along the evolutionary axis. Here, we review the main actions of endocannabinoids on female and male reproductive events, and discuss the interplay between them, steroid hormones and cytokines in regulating fertility. In addition, we discuss the involvement of endocannabinoid signalling in ensuring a correct chromatin remodeling, and hence a good DNA quality, in sperm cells.
Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Comparate, Università di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
Natalia
N
Battista
Rosaria
R
Meccariello
Gilda
G
Cobellis
Silvia
S
Fasano
Monia
M
Di Tommaso
Valentina
V
Pirazzi
Justin C
JC
Konje
Riccardo
R
Pierantoni
Mauro
M
Maccarrone
D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000502:physiology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D016207:Cytokines; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005989:Glycerides / Q000502:physiology*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D016207:Cytokines; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; C078814:anandamide