Abstract
Endocannabinoids control male reproduction acting at central and local level via cannabinoid receptors. The cannabinoid receptor CB1 has been characterized in the testis, in somatic and germ cells of mammalian and non-mammalian animal models, and its activity related to Leydig cell differentiation, steroidogenesis, spermiogenesis, sperm quality, and maturation. In this short review, we provide a summary of the insights concerning neuroendocrine CB1 activity in male reproduction focusing on adult Leydig cell ontogenesis and steroid biosynthesis.
Highlights
Since the identification and the cloning of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) from mammalian brain [1, 2], the deep involvement of CB1 signaling in several physiological functions emerged [3, 4]
We provide a brief summary of the insights concerning direct/indirect effects of CB1 activity on adult Leydig cell (ALC) ontogenesis and steroid biosynthesis
CB1 results to be stably expressed in these steroid-secreting cells suggesting a direct effect in the modulation of steroidogenesis. In agreement with these observations, CB1 activation inhibits basal testosterone secretion in vivo and in vitro [16], while its inactivation promotes the downregulation of neuroendocrine axis, decrease of testosterone and estradiol levels, and the development of few ALC as well, suggesting an involvement of CB1 in steroidogenesis and ALC ontogenesis [14, 16,17,18,19]
Summary
Since the identification and the cloning of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) from mammalian brain [1, 2], the deep involvement of CB1 signaling in several physiological functions emerged [3, 4]. We provide a brief summary of the insights concerning direct/indirect effects of CB1 activity on adult Leydig cell (ALC) ontogenesis and steroid biosynthesis.
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