title: Preferential epithelial expression of type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in the developing canine embryo.
abstract: The use of cannabinoid receptor agonists is gaining a strong interest both in human and veterinary medicine. The potential use of cannabimimetic compounds in companion animals was reviewed in 2007 for their role in tissue inflammation and pain. A better knowledge of type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) expression on the target population may help in risk management in order to prevent unwanted side effects. We used 30-days old canine embryos to describe the distribution of CB1R by means of immunohistochemistry with a commercially available antibody.CB1R immunoreactivity was mainly epithelial and included most structures of central and peripheral nervous system, inner ear, olfactory epithelium and related structures, eye and thyroid. Further investigative research on the role of the endocannabinoid system in the developmental biology field is needed, however, we show that in the canine species we must consider pregnancy as risk condition for developmental abnormalities that may arise upon the use of CB1R receptor agonists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pirone
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannessi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rita
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Stornelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Miragliotta
keywords: Cannabinoid receptor 1; Dog; Embryo; Immunohistochemistry