The endocannabinoid pathway and the female reproductive organs

Abstract

Endocannabinoids are endogenous ligands of cannabinoid, vanilloid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors that activate multiple signal transduction pathways. Together with their receptor and the enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation, these compounds constitute the endocannabinoid system that has been recently shown to play, in humans, an important role in modulating several central and peripheral functions including reproduction. Given the relevance of the system, drugs that are able to interfere with the activity of endocannabinoids are currently considered as candidates for the treatment of various diseases. In this review, we will summarise the current knowledge regarding the effects of endocannabinoids in female reproductive organs. In particular, we will focus on some newly reported mechanisms that can affect endometrial plasticity both in physiological and in pathological conditions.

The Roles of Anandamide, Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase, and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor on the Endometrium during the Implantation Window

“…The dysfunction of FAAH could affect the AEA or 2-AG levels in the uterus, leading to negative effect on pregnancy outcome ( 26 ). In the menstrual cycle, the FAAH activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells at the luteal phase (the window of implantation, day 21) was higher than the FAAH activity at other phases, whereas the AEA level was low ( 27 ). Others reported that low activity of FAAH and high AEA level were associated with the pregnancy loss after IVF-ET (IVF and embryo transfer) ( 28 ).…”

Focus sur le système endocannabinoïde et la reprotoxicité du cannabis chez la femme à l’heure du débat sur sa dépénalisation en France

“…Au niveau hypophysaire, la pré sence de ré cepteurs CB1 suggè re un effet sur la sé cré tion de l'hormone luté inisante (LH) et l'hormone folliculo-stimulante (FSH) [39]. Il est inté ressant de noter que l'expression et la distribution de FAAH, NAPE-PLD, CB1 et CB2 dans les tissus reproducteurs fé minins varient é galement avec le cycle menstruel, ce qui suggè re que l'expression du SEC est corré lé e aux fluctuations hormonales [40].…”

The Endocannabinoid System in Human Physiology

“…Folliculogenesis [35,36] Oocyte maturation [35] Embryo transport [37] Embryo implantation/pregnancy [38][39][40][41] Endometrial plasticity [42] Delivery [34,43]…”