Effects of Cannabinoids on Reproduction and Development

The Endocannabinoid System as an Emerging Target of Pharmacotherapy

“…A temporary reduction of anandamide levels is essential for embryo implantation, and higher anandamide levels are associated with uterine nonreceptivity and impairment of blastocyst formation, zona hatching, and trophoblast outgrowth via CB 1 receptors Paria et al, 1995Paria et al, , 2001Paria et al, , 2002Schmid et al, 1997;Wang et al, 1999;Guo et al, 2005). Consequently, cannabinoids may retard the development of embryos, eventually leading to fetal loss and pregnancy failure (Bloch et al, 1978;Smith and Asch, 1987;Park et al, 2004). Anandamide levels in the uterus are regulated by FAAH activity Schmid et al, 1997).…”

Cannabinoid ligand-receptor signaling in the mouse uterus.

“…One of the major concerns of habitual marijuana smoking or exposure to cannabinoid derivatives is their reported adverse effects on reproductive functions, including fetal loss, pregnancy failure, retarded embryonic development, and reduced fertilizing capacity of sperm (reviewed in refs. [2][3][4][5]. The mechanisms by which these effects of cannabinoids are mediated are poorly defined.…”

“…The mechanisms by which these effects of cannabinoids are mediated are poorly defined. Furthermore, controversies still prevail surrounding the "estrogenic-antiestrogenic" effects of cannabinoids in uterine biology (2,6,7) and their interactions with uterine estrogen receptors (8,9). Previous identification of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein)-coupled cannabinoid receptors together with the recent cloning of these cannabinoid receptors in the brain (CB1-R) and spleen (CB2-R) (10)(11)(12) have begun to provide evidence that many of the central and peripheral effects of cannabinoids are likely to be mediated via these receptors.…”

“…The expression of cannabinoid receptors in the spleen and leukocyte has been associated with the antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive roles of cannabinoids (16,17), while the observation of reduced fertilizing capacity of sperm exposed to cannabinoid ligands is consistent with the detection of CB1-R mRNA in the testis and cannabinoid binding sites in the sperm (4,5,15). On the other hand, the effects and mode of action of cannabinoids in uterine biology and pregnancy remain largely undefined and controversial in spite of the numerous reports published in this field during the last two decades (2,3). In the present investigation, we sought to examine whether functional cannabinoid receptors are expressed in the uterus and whether this organ has the capacity to synthesize anandamide.…”

Reproductive Toxicity of Environmental Agents

“…The cannabinoids have been shown to inhibit testicular function in all species studied (131). Prolonged cannabinoid exposure leads to a specifi c decrease in epididymal sperm in rats (132).…”