Overactive type 2 cannabinoid receptor induces meiosis in fetal gonads and impairs ovarian reserve.

ABSTRACT: Type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB₂R) has been proposed to promote in vitro meiotic entry of postnatal male germ cells and to maintain the temporal progression of spermatogenesis in vivo. However, no information is presently available on the role played by CB₂R in male and female fetal gonads. Here we show that in vitro pharmacological stimulation with JWH133, a CB₂R agonist, induced activation of the meiotic program in both male and female fetal gonads. Upon stimulation, gonocytes initiated the meiotic program but became arrested at early stages of prophase I, while oocytes showed an increased rate of meiotic entry and progression toward more advanced stage of meiosis. Acceleration of meiosis in oocytes was accompanied by a strong increase in the percentage o

SUBMITTER: De Domenico E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5682662 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature