The role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovary

Objective(s): Cannabinoids, derivatives of Cannabis sativa L., can activate the endocannabinoid system via two endogenous receptors, CB1 and CB2. This system is crucial in regulating folliculogenesis, fertility, and reproductive function. This study investigated the potential effects of cannabinoid...

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Main Authors: Vida Mirzaie, Touba Eslaminejad, Fatemeh Sheikhbahaei, Shayan Vafaei, Fatemeh Nabipour, Mina Behzadi, Seyyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 2025-09-01
Series:Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
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Online Access:https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_26077_ec54d238ae704d2003d389617078ce2b.pdf
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author Vida Mirzaie
Touba Eslaminejad
Fatemeh Sheikhbahaei
Shayan Vafaei
Fatemeh Nabipour
Mina Behzadi
Seyyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani
author_facet Vida Mirzaie
Touba Eslaminejad
Fatemeh Sheikhbahaei
Shayan Vafaei
Fatemeh Nabipour
Mina Behzadi
Seyyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani
author_sort Vida Mirzaie
collection DOAJ
description Objective(s): Cannabinoids, derivatives of Cannabis sativa L., can activate the endocannabinoid system via two endogenous receptors, CB1 and CB2. This system is crucial in regulating folliculogenesis, fertility, and reproductive function. This study investigated the potential effects of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on ovarian health and function in female mice.Materials and Methods: 80 NMRI mice were divided into 10 groups. Treatment groups received CB1 or CB2 agonists, antagonists, or their combinations for five days. The animals were then sacrificed, the ovaries were excised and weighed, and their volume was measured. Total RNA was extracted from the left ovary for qPCR analysis, while the right ovary was fixed in Bouin’s solution for histological evaluation following H&E staining.Results: Treatment with CB1/CB2 agonist+CB1 antagonist (W102+AM251) decreased the level of NAPE-PLD (a key factor in the production of endocannabinoids in cells) and increased the level of FAAH (responsible for cannabinoid degradation) genes compared to all groups. CB2 antagonist (AM630) increased the number of primary, preantral, and antral follicles, the volume and weight of ovaries, and estrogen levels. Meanwhile, the CB1 antagonist (AM251) significantly increased microvascular density in the ovaries.Conclusion: Cannabinoids modulate ovarian physiology and folliculogenesis, with CB2 receptors playing a particularly significant role. Antagonism at CB2 appeared to differentially affect cannabinoid-metabolizing enzymes in ovarian follicles and differentially affect their maturation. However, our preliminary novel findings in mice require human studies before clinical application.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-09-01
publisher Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
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spelling doaj-art-cad1fa66504648cba7c4b193fc5555772025-08-20T03:35:48ZengMashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-38662008-38742025-09-012891171117910.22038/ijbms.2025.85417.1846826077The role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovaryVida Mirzaie0Touba Eslaminejad1Fatemeh Sheikhbahaei2Shayan Vafaei3Fatemeh Nabipour4Mina Behzadi5Seyyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani6Department of Anatomical Science, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranDepartment of Anatomical Science, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranDepartment of Anatomical Science, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranKerman Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranDepartment of Anatomical Science, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranObjective(s): Cannabinoids, derivatives of Cannabis sativa L., can activate the endocannabinoid system via two endogenous receptors, CB1 and CB2. This system is crucial in regulating folliculogenesis, fertility, and reproductive function. This study investigated the potential effects of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on ovarian health and function in female mice.Materials and Methods: 80 NMRI mice were divided into 10 groups. Treatment groups received CB1 or CB2 agonists, antagonists, or their combinations for five days. The animals were then sacrificed, the ovaries were excised and weighed, and their volume was measured. Total RNA was extracted from the left ovary for qPCR analysis, while the right ovary was fixed in Bouin’s solution for histological evaluation following H&E staining.Results: Treatment with CB1/CB2 agonist+CB1 antagonist (W102+AM251) decreased the level of NAPE-PLD (a key factor in the production of endocannabinoids in cells) and increased the level of FAAH (responsible for cannabinoid degradation) genes compared to all groups. CB2 antagonist (AM630) increased the number of primary, preantral, and antral follicles, the volume and weight of ovaries, and estrogen levels. Meanwhile, the CB1 antagonist (AM251) significantly increased microvascular density in the ovaries.Conclusion: Cannabinoids modulate ovarian physiology and folliculogenesis, with CB2 receptors playing a particularly significant role. Antagonism at CB2 appeared to differentially affect cannabinoid-metabolizing enzymes in ovarian follicles and differentially affect their maturation. However, our preliminary novel findings in mice require human studies before clinical application.https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_26077_ec54d238ae704d2003d389617078ce2b.pdfcannabinoidcannabinoid agonistcannabinoid antagonistcb1 receptorcb2 receptorfolliculogenesis
spellingShingle Vida Mirzaie
Touba Eslaminejad
Fatemeh Sheikhbahaei
Shayan Vafaei
Fatemeh Nabipour
Mina Behzadi
Seyyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani
The role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovary
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
cannabinoid
cannabinoid agonist
cannabinoid antagonist
cb1 receptor
cb2 receptor
folliculogenesis
title The role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovary
title_full The role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovary
title_fullStr The role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovary
title_full_unstemmed The role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovary
title_short The role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovary
title_sort role of cannabinoid agonists and antagonists on folliculogenesis and evolutionary events in the mouse ovary
topic cannabinoid
cannabinoid agonist
cannabinoid antagonist
cb1 receptor
cb2 receptor
folliculogenesis
url https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_26077_ec54d238ae704d2003d389617078ce2b.pdf
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