Endocannabinoid system in pregnancy

FERNANDO CORREA; MANUEL LUIS WOLFSON; PAULA VALCHI; JULIETA AISEMBERG; ANA MARIA FRANCHI

REPRODUCTION

BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD

Año: 2016

1470-1626

The endocannabinoid system (eCS) is a complex system comprised by the main endogenous ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 as well as the biosynthetic and degrading enzymes. Cumulative evidence shows that the eCS plays important role in reproduction, from egg fertilization to parturition. Therefore, alterations in this system, either by recreation/therapeutic use of cannabis or deregulation of the endogenous cannabinoids, might lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including retardation in embryo development, poor blastocyst implantation, inhibition of decidualization, miscarriage, and compromised placentation. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms by which the eCS participates in the different stages of pregnancy remain poorly understood. In this review, we will examine the evidence from animal and human studies to support the role of the eCS in implantation, early-to-late pregnancy and placentation as well as the difficulties of targeting this system for treatment of female infertility.