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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
05:44
Medium-throughput Screening Assays for Assessment of Effects on Ca2+-Signaling and Acrosome Reaction in Human Sperm
Published on: March 1, 2019
Is there a role for endocannabinoids in sperm-oviduct interaction?
R Talevi1, V Barbato, S De Iorio
1Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Naples, Italy.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|June 1, 2010
Summary
The bovine oviduct
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
- Mammalian Reproduction
Background:
- The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is present in mammalian reproductive tissues.
- Spermatozoa and oviducts interact with endocannabinoids like anandamide (AEA).
- The ECS's role in bovine sperm storage and release within the oviduct is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the ECS in bovine sperm storage and release in the oviduct.
- To determine the presence and function of ECS components in bovine spermatozoa and oviducts.
Main Methods:
- Detection of endocannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2) in bovine spermatozoa.
- Assessment of anandamide (AEA) effects on sperm viability, motility, and zona pellucida (ZP) binding in vitro.
- Evaluation of AEA influence on sperm-oviduct binding and release.
- Analysis of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-selective phospholipase D expression in oviductal cells.
Main Results:
- CB1 and CB2 receptors are present on bovine spermatozoa.
- AEA reduces sperm progressive motility and kinetic values but does not affect viability.
- AEA depresses sperm-zona pellucida (ZP) binding, but this is not observed with heparin-capacitated sperm.
- Sperm-oviduct binding and release are not influenced by AEA.
- N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-selective phospholipase D is expressed in oviductal epithelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Oviductal AEA secretion may contribute to sperm storage, prolonging fertility by reducing sperm motility and capacitation.
- Heparin-induced sperm release might alter sperm surface sensitivity to AEA.
- The ECS plays a significant role in regulating sperm function within the bovine oviduct.
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