title: Endocannabinoids and Reproductive Events in Health and Disease.
abstract: The lasting research on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has now provided solid and convincing evidence that proves the detrimental effects of recreational drug abuse (a growing habit among teenagers) on fertility. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) affect reproductive events from gametogenesis to fertilization, from embryo implantation to the final outcome of pregnancy and, thus, they have been proposed as suitable biomarkers to predict the reproductive potential of male and female gametes in clinical practice. Novel tools for reproductive medicine are highly sought after, and here we report the latest findings on the impact of the ECS on fertility, demonstrating how basic research can be translated into new medical strategies.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Battista
authors.affiliation: European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.|Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bari
authors.affiliation: European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy. m.maccarrone@unicampus.it.|School of Medicine and Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy. m.maccarrone@unicampus.it.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maccarrone
mesh_terms: D047108:Embryonic Development; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D009866:Oogenesis; D011247:Pregnancy; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction; D060728:Reproductive Health; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013091:Spermatogenesis
chemical_list: D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
keywords: AEA Anandamide; Biomarkers; Endocannabinoid system; Infertility; Reproduction