Pharmaceuticals 2010, 3(10), 3275-3323; doi:10.3390/ph3103275
Review

Cannabinoids and Reproduction: A Lasting and Intriguing History

Giovanna Cacciola 1,† , Rosanna Chianese 1,† , Teresa Chioccarelli 1,† , Vincenza Ciaramella 1 , Silvia Fasano 1 , Riccardo Pierantoni 1,* email, Rosaria Meccariello 2,#  and Gilda Cobellis 1,#
1 Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. “F. Bottazzi”, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Napoli, Italy 2 Dipartimento di Studi delle Istituzioni e dei Sistemi Territoriali, Università di Napoli “Parthenope”, Napoli, Italy † These authors contributed equally to the paper. # Equally senior authors
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 12 August 2010; in revised form: 9 September 2010 / Accepted: 21 October 2010 / Published: 25 October 2010
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cannabinoids)
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Abstract: 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.
Keywords: cannabinergic system, male reproduction, female reproduction, hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis.

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Cacciola, G.; Chianese, R.; Chioccarelli, T.; Ciaramella, V.; Fasano, S.; Pierantoni, R.; Meccariello, R.; Cobellis, G. Cannabinoids and Reproduction: A Lasting and Intriguing History. Pharmaceuticals 2010, 3, 3275-3323.

AMA Style

Cacciola G, Chianese R, Chioccarelli T, Ciaramella V, Fasano S, Pierantoni R, Meccariello R, Cobellis G. Cannabinoids and Reproduction: A Lasting and Intriguing History. Pharmaceuticals. 2010; 3(10):3275-3323.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cacciola, Giovanna; Chianese, Rosanna; Chioccarelli, Teresa; Ciaramella, Vincenza; Fasano, Silvia; Pierantoni, Riccardo; Meccariello, Rosaria; Cobellis, Gilda. 2010. "Cannabinoids and Reproduction: A Lasting and Intriguing History." Pharmaceuticals 3, no. 10: 3275-3323.

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