title: Updates in reproduction coming from the endocannabinoid system.
abstract: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an evolutionarily conserved master system deeply involved in the central and local control of reproductive functions in both sexes. The tone of these lipid mediators-deeply modulated by the activity of biosynthetic and hydrolyzing machineries-regulates reproductive functions from gonadotropin discharge and steroid biosynthesis to the formation of high quality gametes and successful pregnancy. This review provides an overview on ECS and reproduction and focuses on the insights in the regulation of endocannabinoid production by steroids, in the regulation of male reproductive activity, and in placentation and parturition. Taken all together, evidences emerge that the activity of the ECS is crucial for procreation and may represent a target for the therapeutic exploitation of infertility.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università di Napoli Parthenope, via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2174-1118
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meccariello
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy ; European Center for Brain Research (CERC), Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1936-6710
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Battista
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
authors.forename: Heather B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
authors.forename: Haibin
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5834-0492
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang