Endocannabinoid Signaling in Female Reproduction

Abstract

Marijuana is a preparation of the flower, as well as the leaves and seeds, of the plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years due to its psychoactive effects including euphoria, sedation, and analgesia. Although it has been suspected for decades that marijuana has adverse effects on female fertility, the underlying molecular mechanism was not clear. The discovery of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids has advanced studies if cannabinoid signaling. Since then, numerous studies have been published on cannabinoid signaling in female reproductive events, including preimplantation embryo development, oviductal embryo transport, embryo implantation, placentation, and parturition. This review focuses on various aspects of endocannabinoid signaling in female fertility.

Dynamics of expression and localization of the cannabinoid system in granulosa cells during oocyte nuclear maturation

“…The role of the endocannabinoid system has been studied in mammalian reproductive events, such as spermatogenesis, sperm motility, fertilization, embryo oviductal transport, preimplantation embryo development, implantation, and postimplantation embryonic growth (21)(22)(23). Even so, the role of this system in the ovary and oocyte events has rarely been analyzed (15)(16)(17).…”

Decreased circulating anandamide levels in preeclampsia

“…In mice, higher anandamide levels inhibit blastocyst differentiation, oviductal transport, implantation and trophoblast proliferation. 23 Studies have shown that low FAAH and high CB1 expression in human placenta characterize spontaneous miscarriage, 24 whereas both low FAAH and CB1 expressions causing high anandamide levels in fallopian tubes may have a role in ectopic implantation. 25 High maternal peripheral blood endocannabinoid levels modulated by low FAAH activity in lymphocytes can inhibit successful pregnancy after in vitro fertilization, 26,27 and were recently associated with ectopic pregnancy possibly through tubal dysfunction.…”

Dynamic of expression and localization of cannabinoid-degrading enzymes FAAH and MGLL in relation to CB1 during meiotic maturation of human oocytes

“…The role of the endocannabinoid system has been studied in various mammalian reproductive processes, such as spermatogenesis, sperm motility, fertilization, embryo oviductal transport, preimplantation embryo development, implantation, and post-implantation embryonic growth (Wang et al 2006a(Wang et al , 2006bTaylor et al 2007;Sun and Dey 2012). Even so, the part played by this system in the ovary and in oocyte events has rarely been analyzed (El-Talatini et al 2009;Bagavandoss and Grimshaw 2010;Peralta et al 2011).…”

“…Among these molecules, the role of the cannabinoid compounds has been highlighted by some authors (Sun and Dey 2012). Endocannabinoids are fatty acid derivatives that exert their effects by binding to membrane Gi/o protein-coupled receptors CB1 and CB2.…”