Anandamide (AEA) is the endogenous ligand of cannabinoid (CB) receptors, and as such it plays several central and peripheral activities. Regulation of female fertility by AEA has attracted growing interest, yet a role for this endocannabinoid in controlling sperm function and male fertility in mammals has been scarcely investigated. In this study we report unprecedented evidence that boar sperm cells have the biochemical machinery to bind and degrade AEA, i.e. type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R), vanilloid receptors (TRPV1), AEA-synthesizing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), AEA transporter (AMT) and AEA hydrolase (FAAH). We also show that the non-hydrolyzable AEA analogue methanandamide reduces sperm capacitation and, as a consequence, inhibits the process of acrosome reaction (AR) triggered by the zona pellucida, according to a cyclic AMP-dependent pathway triggered by CB1R activation. Furthermore, activation of TRPV1 receptors seems to play a role of stabilization of the plasma membranes in capacitated sperm, as demonstrated by the high incidence of spontaneous AR occurring during the cultural period when TRPV1 activity was antagonized by capsazepine. We show that sperm cells have a complete and efficient endocannabinoid system, and that activation of cannabinoid or vanilloid receptors controls, at different time-points, sperm functions required for fertilization. These observations open new perspectives on the understanding and treatment of male fertility problems.

Maccarrone, M., Barboni, B., Paradisi, A., Bernabo, N., Gasperi, V., Pistilli, M.g., et al. (2005). Characterization of the endocannabinoid system in boar spermatozoa and implications for sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE, 118(19), 4393-4404 [10.1242/jcs.02536].

Characterization of the endocannabinoid system in boar spermatozoa and implications for sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction

GASPERI, VALERIA;FEZZA, FILOMENA;
2005-01-01

Abstract

Anandamide (AEA) is the endogenous ligand of cannabinoid (CB) receptors, and as such it plays several central and peripheral activities. Regulation of female fertility by AEA has attracted growing interest, yet a role for this endocannabinoid in controlling sperm function and male fertility in mammals has been scarcely investigated. In this study we report unprecedented evidence that boar sperm cells have the biochemical machinery to bind and degrade AEA, i.e. type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R), vanilloid receptors (TRPV1), AEA-synthesizing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), AEA transporter (AMT) and AEA hydrolase (FAAH). We also show that the non-hydrolyzable AEA analogue methanandamide reduces sperm capacitation and, as a consequence, inhibits the process of acrosome reaction (AR) triggered by the zona pellucida, according to a cyclic AMP-dependent pathway triggered by CB1R activation. Furthermore, activation of TRPV1 receptors seems to play a role of stabilization of the plasma membranes in capacitated sperm, as demonstrated by the high incidence of spontaneous AR occurring during the cultural period when TRPV1 activity was antagonized by capsazepine. We show that sperm cells have a complete and efficient endocannabinoid system, and that activation of cannabinoid or vanilloid receptors controls, at different time-points, sperm functions required for fertilization. These observations open new perspectives on the understanding and treatment of male fertility problems.
2005
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Sì, ma tipo non specificato
Settore BIO/10 - BIOCHIMICA
English
Anandamide; Cannabinoid receptor; Cyclic AMP; Metabolism; Vaniloid receptor; Zona pellucida
Maccarrone, M., Barboni, B., Paradisi, A., Bernabo, N., Gasperi, V., Pistilli, M.g., et al. (2005). Characterization of the endocannabinoid system in boar spermatozoa and implications for sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE, 118(19), 4393-4404 [10.1242/jcs.02536].
Maccarrone, M; Barboni, B; Paradisi, A; Bernabo, N; Gasperi, V; Pistilli, Mg; Fezza, F; Lucidi, P; Mattioli, M
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/25671
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