Pharmaceuticals 2010, 3(9), 2910-2929; doi:10.3390/ph3092910
Review

From Fertilisation to Implantation in Mammalian Pregnancy—Modulation of Early Human Reproduction by the Endocannabinoid System

Katerina N. Bambangemail, Tulay Karasuemail, Alpha Gebehemail, Anthony H. Tayloremail, Timothy H. Marczyloemail, Patricia Lamemail, Jonathon M. Willetsemail and Justin C. Konje* email
Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 29 June 2010; in revised form: 15 July 2010 / Accepted: 11 August 2010 / Published: 2 September 2010
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cannabinoids)
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Abstract: There is an increasing recognition that the endocannabinoid system is the crucial cytokine-hormone system regulating early human pregnancy. The synchronous development of the fertilized embryo and the endometrium to ensure timely implantation has been shown to be one of the pivotal steps to successful implantation. This development is thought to be regulated by a finely balanced relationship between various components of the endocannabinoid system in the endometrium, the embryo and the Fallopian tube. In addition, this system has also been shown to be involved in the regulation of the development and maturation of the gametes prior to fertilization. In this review, we will examine the evidence from animal and human studies to support the role of the endocannabinoid system in gametogenesis, fertilization, implantation, early pregnancy maintenance, and in immunomodulation of pregnancy. We will discuss the role of the cannabinoid receptors and the enzymes involved in the synthesis and degradation of the key endocannabinoid ligands (e.g., anandamide and 2-arachinoylglycerol) in early reproduction.
Keywords: endocannabinoid; reproduction; fertilization; implantation

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Cite This Article

MDPI and ACS Style

Bambang, K.N.; Karasu, T.; Gebeh, A.; Taylor, A.H.; Marczylo, T.H.; Lam, P.; Willets, J.M.; Konje, J.C. From Fertilisation to Implantation in Mammalian Pregnancy—Modulation of Early Human Reproduction by the Endocannabinoid System. Pharmaceuticals 2010, 3, 2910-2929.

AMA Style

Bambang KN, Karasu T, Gebeh A, Taylor AH, Marczylo TH, Lam P, Willets JM, Konje JC. From Fertilisation to Implantation in Mammalian Pregnancy—Modulation of Early Human Reproduction by the Endocannabinoid System. Pharmaceuticals. 2010; 3(9):2910-2929.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Bambang, Katerina N.; Karasu, Tulay; Gebeh, Alpha; Taylor, Anthony H.; Marczylo, Timothy H.; Lam, Patricia; Willets, Jonathon M.; Konje, Justin C. 2010. "From Fertilisation to Implantation in Mammalian Pregnancy—Modulation of Early Human Reproduction by the Endocannabinoid System." Pharmaceuticals 3, no. 9: 2910-2929.

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