Effects of anandamide on embryo implantation in the mouse.

Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine), an arachidonic acid derivative, is an endogenous ligand for both the brain-type (CB1-R) and spleen-type (CB2-R) cannabinoid receptors. To investigate the possible effects of anandamide on embryo implantation in the mouse, we used a co-culture system in which mouse embryos are cultured with a monolayer of uterine epithelial cells. Our results indicate that 14 nM anandamide significantly promotes the attachment and outgrowth of the blastocysts on the monolayer of uterine epithelial cells, and those effects could be blocked by CB1-R antagonists SR141716A, but not by SR144528, a CB2-R antagonist. It suggests that the effects of anandamide on embryo attachment and outgrowth are mediated by CB1-R. However, 56 nM anandamide is capable of inhibiting the blastocyst attachment and outgrowth, we, therefore, conclude that anandamide may play an essential role at the outset of implantation.