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Journal of cellular physiology2020; 235(10); 7580-7591; doi: 10.1002/jcp.29663

The endocannabinoid system modulates the ovarian physiology and its activation can improve in vitro oocyte maturation.

Abstract: The cannabinoid (CB) system has been involved in many aspects of reproduction and it is known that the systemic chronic use of exogenous CBs are deleterious to reproductive processes. Even so, it is not known what happens in relation to the physiology of the ovary when CB receptors are absent. The present study investigated the effect of the lack of CB1 and CB2 receptors in mice ovarian morphology, folliculogenesis, oocyte retrieval, and oocyte maturation and evaluated the use of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) by comparing classical IVM and two-step IVM by analyzing the meiotic competence of the oocytes and their evolution toward embryos. Thus, when CB1 and CB2 receptors were missed, the ovary area and volume was significantly less and the action of the equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) hormone was diminished. In addition, the mutant genotypes had fewer ovarian follicles and they were less competent after eCG administration compared with wild-type mice, and this lack of CB receptors showed a mismatch of oocyte maturation. However, the in vitro use of THC showed improvements in oocytes IVM after a Pre-IVM step for 48 hr, as those oocytes reached a significantly higher polar body rate, a larger diameter and the best result on blastocysts rate was achieved when THC was used during the IVM step.
© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Publication Date: 2020-03-20 PubMed ID: 32198753DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29663Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the role of cannabinoid receptors in mouse ovarian health and fertility, as well as the effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on in vitro maturation of oocytes (egg cells).

Research methods and objectives

The researchers aimed to understand the role of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in ovarian physiology. They studied mice that lacked these receptors and assessed various factors, such as ovarian morphology, folliculogenesis (the maturation of ovarian follicles), the number of oocytes retrieved, and their maturation. The researchers also tested the impact of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, on in vitro maturation of oocytes. They compared the traditional in vitro maturation method with a two-step method to evaluate the oocytes’ meiotic competence (ability to undergo cell division) and potential developmental progression to embryos.

Findings: Detrimental Effects of Cannabinoid Receptor Deficiency

The absence of CB1 and CB2 receptors in mice had several adverse effects on ovarian health and performance. Observations included:

  • Decreased ovary size in terms of both area and volume.
  • Diminished reaction to equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), a hormone used to stimulate follicle development in the ovaries.
  • Fewer ovarian follicles, especially after eCG administration.
  • Decreased competency of these follicles when compared to normal mice.
  • Discrepancy in oocyte maturation, suggesting that cannabinoid receptors play a role in this process.

Findings: Positive Influence of THC on In Vitro Maturation

The in vitro use of THC showed promise in enhancing oocyte maturation. The study revealed several benefits of using THC, especially before the actual in vitro maturation process (Pre-IVM step):

  • Oocytes that underwent a 48-hour Pre-IVM step with THC showed a significantly higher polar body rate (an indicator of successful cell division).
  • These oocytes also had a larger diameter, suggesting improved health and development.
  • The most successful blastocyst (early embryo) generation rate occurred when THC was used during the in vitro maturation process.

In conclusion, this study highlights the potential impact of the cannabinoid system on ovarian health and fertility, shedding light on possible avenues for enhancing in vitro oocyte maturation using THC. However, it also underscores the detrimental effects that might occur if the cannabinoid receptors are deficient or absent, emphasizing the complexity and importance of this system in reproductive health.

Cite This Article

APA
Totorikaguena L, Olabarrieta E, Lolicato F, Romero-Aguirregomezcorta J, Smitz J, Agirregoitia N, Agirregoitia E. (2020). The endocannabinoid system modulates the ovarian physiology and its activation can improve in vitro oocyte maturation. J Cell Physiol, 235(10), 7580-7591. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.29663

Publication

Journal of cellular physiology
ISSN: 1097-4652
NlmUniqueID: 0050222
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 235
Issue: 10
Pages: 7580-7591

Researcher Affiliations

Totorikaguena, Lide
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
Olabarrieta, Estibaliz
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
Lolicato, Francesca
  • Laboratory of Follicular Biology (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Romero-Aguirregomezcorta, Jon
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
Smitz, Johan
  • Laboratory of Follicular Biology (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Agirregoitia, Naiara
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
Agirregoitia, Ekaitz
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst / metabolism
  • Blastocyst / physiology
  • Endocannabinoids / metabolism
  • Female
  • In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / methods
  • Meiosis / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Oogenesis / physiology
  • Ovarian Follicle / metabolism
  • Ovarian Follicle / physiology
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Rossi G, Di Nisio V, Chiominto A, Cecconi S, Maccarrone M. Endocannabinoid System Components of the Female Mouse Reproductive Tract Are Modulated during Reproductive Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Apr 19;24(8).
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