The fully linked HTML version of this article has now been published.
JCS ePress
online publication date 6 Sep 2005
doi: 10.1242/jcs.02536
Research Article
Characterization of the endocannabinoid system in boar spermatozoa and implications for sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction
Mauro Maccarrone*,
Barbara Barboni,
Andrea Paradisi,
Nicola Bernabò,
Valeria Gasperi,
Maria Gabriella Pistilli,
Filomena Fezza,
Pia Lucidi,
and
Mauro Mattioli
* Author for correspondence (e-mail: mmaccarrone{at}unite.it)
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.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
M.Y. Turco, K. Matsukawa, M. Czernik, V. Gasperi, N. Battista, L. Della Salda, P.A. Scapolo, P. Loi, M. Maccarrone, and G. Ptak
High levels of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid, block the growth of sheep preimplantation embryos by inducing apoptosis and reversible arrest of cell proliferation
Hum. Reprod.,
July 9, 2008;
(2008)
den258v1.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Centonze, M. Bari, S. Rossi, C. Prosperetti, R. Furlan, F. Fezza, V. De Chiara, L. Battistini, G. Bernardi, S. Bernardini, et al.
The endocannabinoid system is dysregulated in multiple sclerosis and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Brain,
October 1, 2007;
130(10):
2543 - 2553.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A.H. Taylor, C. Ang, S.C. Bell, and J.C. Konje
The role of the endocannabinoid system in gametogenesis, implantation and early pregnancy
Hum. Reprod. Update,
September 1, 2007;
13(5):
501 - 513.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Nucci, V. Gasperi, R. Tartaglione, A. Cerulli, A. Terrinoni, M. Bari, C. De Simone, A. F. Agro, L. A. Morrone, M. T. Corasaniti, et al.
Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System in Retinal Damage after High Intraocular Pressure-Induced Ischemia in Rats
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.,
July 1, 2007;
48(7):
2997 - 3004.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Rossi, V. Gasperi, R. Paro, D. Barsacchi, S. Cecconi, and M. Maccarrone
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Activates Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase by Protein Kinase A and Aromatase-Dependent Pathways in Mouse Primary Sertoli Cells
Endocrinology,
March 1, 2007;
148(3):
1431 - 1439.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X.-H. Jin, Y. Okamoto, J. Morishita, K. Tsuboi, T. Tonai, and N. Ueda
Discovery and Characterization of a Ca2+-independent Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Acyltransferase Generating the Anandamide Precursor and Its Congeners
J. Biol. Chem.,
February 9, 2007;
282(6):
3614 - 3623.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Agirregoitia, A. Valdivia, A. Carracedo, L. Casis, J. Gil, N. Subiran, C. Ochoa, and J. Irazusta
Expression and Localization of {delta}-, {kappa}-, and {micro}-Opioid Receptors in Human Spermatozoa and Implications for Sperm Motility
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.,
December 1, 2006;
91(12):
4969 - 4975.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Wang, S. K. Dey, and M. Maccarrone
Jekyll and Hyde: Two Faces of Cannabinoid Signaling in Male and Female Fertility
Endocr. Rev.,
August 1, 2006;
27(5):
427 - 448.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Cobellis, G. Cacciola, D. Scarpa, R. Meccariello, R. Chianese, M. F. Franzoni, K. Mackie, R. Pierantoni, and S. Fasano
Endocannabinoid System in Frog and Rodent Testis: Type-1 Cannabinoid Receptor and Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Activity in Male Germ Cells
Biol Reprod,
July 1, 2006;
75(1):
82 - 89.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Wang, Y. Okamoto, J. Morishita, K. Tsuboi, A. Miyatake, and N. Ueda
Functional Analysis of the Purified Anandamide-generating Phospholipase D as a Member of the Metallo-beta-lactamase Family
J. Biol. Chem.,
May 5, 2006;
281(18):
12325 - 12335.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2005
