Cannabinoids and Reproduction: A Lasting and Intriguing History

Pharmaceuticals

Giovanna Cacciola¹  Rosanna Chianese¹  Teresa Chioccarelli¹  Vincenza Ciaramella¹  Silvia Fasano¹  Riccardo Pierantoni¹  Rosaria Meccariello² 

[1] Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. “F. Bottazzi”, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Napoli, Italy;Dipartimento di Studi delle Istituzioni e dei Sistemi Territoriali, Università di Napoli “Parthenope”, Napoli, Italy

关键词: cannabinergic system;    male reproduction;    female reproduction;    hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ph3103275

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Starting from an historical overview of lasting Cannabis use over the centuries, we will focus on a description of the cannabinergic system, with a comprehensive analysis of chemical and pharmacological properties of endogenous and synthetic cannabimimetic analogues. The metabolic pathways and the signal transduction mechanisms, activated by cannabinoid receptors stimulation, will also be discussed. In particular, we will point out the action of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids on the different neuronal networks involved in reproductive axis, and locally, on male and female reproductive tracts, by emphasizing the pivotal role played by this system in the control of fertility.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.