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Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Reproduction and Fertility: Where We Stand

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Abstract

Although cannabis use is increasing in general population, their prevalence among young adults is remarkably high. In recent years, their medical use gained a renewed interest. However, it can underline the reputation of cannabis being a harmless drug. Between cannabinoids, uniquely found on the cannabis plant, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the well-studied compound. It is responsible for the psychoactive effects via central cannabinoid receptors. Nevertheless, cannabinoids interact with other chemical signalling systems such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. THC indirectly decreases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion by the hypothalamus. The consequences are diverse, and several key hormones are affected. THC disturbs important reproductive events like folliculogenesis, ovulation and sperm maturation and function. Although generally accepted that cannabinoid consumption impacts male and female fertility, prevailing evidence remains largely on pre-clinical studies. Here, we introduce cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, and we review the most prominent clinical evidence about cannabis consumption in reproductive potential and teratogenicity.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit - UCIBIO which is financed by national funds from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (UIDB/04378/2020); FEDER - Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020 – Operacional Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI) and FCT in the framework of the project PTDC/MEC-OUT/28931/2017.

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  1. UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal

    Bruno M. Fonseca & Irene Rebelo

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  1. Bruno M. Fonseca
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B.M.F. conceived the idea and wrote the manuscript in consultation with I.R. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Bruno M. Fonseca.

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Fonseca, B.M., Rebelo, I. Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Reproduction and Fertility: Where We Stand. Reprod. Sci. 29, 2429–2439 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00588-1

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