Endocannabinoids and pregnancy

Acylethanolamides such as anandamide (AEA), and monoacylglycerols like 2-arachidonoylglycerol are endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid, vanilloid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. These compounds, their various receptors, the purported membrane transporter(s), and related enzymes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinica chimica acta 2010-07, Vol.411 (13), p.921-930
Main Authors: Taylor, Anthony H., Amoako, Akwasi A., Bambang, Katerina, Karasu, Tulay, Gebeh, Alpha, Lam, Patricia M.W., Marzcylo, Timothy H., Konje, Justin C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anandamide
Animals
Blastocyst - metabolism
Blastocyst - physiology
Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators - metabolism
Embryo Implantation - physiology
Employment
Endocannabinoids
Female
Gametogenesis
Humans
Placenta - metabolism
Placenta - physiology
Pregnancy
Pregnancy - immunology
Pregnancy - metabolism
Pregnancy - physiology
Reproduction
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Summary:Acylethanolamides such as anandamide (AEA), and monoacylglycerols like 2-arachidonoylglycerol are endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid, vanilloid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. These compounds, their various receptors, the purported membrane transporter(s), and related enzymes that synthesize and degrade them are collectively referred to as the “endocannabinoid system (ECS)”. Poorly defined cellular and molecular mechanisms control the biological actions of the ECS. Over the last decade evidence has been emerging to suggest that the ECS plays a significant role in various aspects of human reproduction. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of this role especially the involvement of AEA and related ECS elements in regulating oogenesis, embryo oviductal transport, blastocyst implantation, placental development and pregnancy outcomes, and sperm survival, motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction. Additionally, the possibility that plasma and tissue AEA and other cannabinoids may represent reliable diagnostic markers of natural and assisted reproduction and pregnancy outcomes in women will be discussed.
ISSN:0009-8981
1873-3492
DOI:10.1016/j.cca.2010.03.012