Akwasi Atakora Amoako1, Timothy Hywel Marczylo2, Janine Elson3, Anthony Henry Taylor4, Jonathon M Willets4, Justin Chi Konje4. 1. Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom. Electronic address: akwasi.amoako@leedsth.nhs.uk. 2. Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Health Protection Agency, Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. 3. London Women's Clinic, London, United Kingdom. 4. Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether changes in seminal plasma concentrations of the endogenous lipid signaling molecules palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) have significant effects on sperm quality. DESIGN: Biochemical and physiological studies of human seminal plasma and spermatozoa. SETTING: Academic tertiary care medical center. PATIENT(S): Ninety men attending an infertility clinic for semen analysis. INTERVENTION(S): Palmitoylethanolamide and OEA extracted from seminal plasma were quantified by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-tandem mass spectrometry. Patient sperm from semen with normal parameters were exposed in vitro to PEA or OEA to determine effects on sperm motility, viability, and mitochondrial activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The relationship between seminal plasma concentrations of PEA and OEA and sperm quality and the effect of these compounds on sperm motility, viability, and mitochondria activity in vitro. RESULT(S): Palmitoylethanolamide and OEA concentrations in seminal plasma were lower in men with asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozospermia compared with men with normal semen parameters. Palmitoylethanolamide and OEA rapidly and significantly improved sperm motility and maintained viability without affecting mitochondria activity in vitro. CONCLUSION(S): Maintenance of normal PEA and OEA tone in human seminal plasma may be necessary for the preservation of normal sperm function and male fertility. Exocannabinoids found in Cannabis, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, could compete with these endocannabinoids upsetting their finely balanced, normal functioning and resulting in male reproductive failure.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether changes in seminal plasma concentrations of the endogenous lipid signaling molecules palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) have significant effects on sperm quality. DESIGN: Biochemical and physiological studies of human seminal plasma and spermatozoa. SETTING: Academic tertiary care medical center. PATIENT(S): Ninety men attending an infertility clinic for semen analysis. INTERVENTION(S): Palmitoylethanolamide and OEA extracted from seminal plasma were quantified by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-tandem mass spectrometry. Patient sperm from semen with normal parameters were exposed in vitro to PEA or OEA to determine effects on sperm motility, viability, and mitochondrial activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The relationship between seminal plasma concentrations of PEA and OEA and sperm quality and the effect of these compounds on sperm motility, viability, and mitochondria activity in vitro. RESULT(S): Palmitoylethanolamide and OEA concentrations in seminal plasma were lower in men with asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozospermia compared with men with normal semen parameters. Palmitoylethanolamide and OEA rapidly and significantly improved sperm motility and maintained viability without affecting mitochondria activity in vitro. CONCLUSION(S): Maintenance of normal PEA and OEA tone in human seminal plasma may be necessary for the preservation of normal sperm function and male fertility. Exocannabinoids found in Cannabis, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, could compete with these endocannabinoids upsetting their finely balanced, normal functioning and resulting in male reproductive failure.
Authors: Mauro Maccarrone; Itai Bab; Tamás Bíró; Guy A Cabral; Sudhansu K Dey; Vincenzo Di Marzo; Justin C Konje; George Kunos; Raphael Mechoulam; Pal Pacher; Keith A Sharkey; Andreas Zimmer Journal: Trends Pharmacol Sci Date: 2015-03-18 Impact factor: 14.819
Authors: Marah C Hehemann; Omer A Raheem; Saneal Rajanahally; Sarah Holt; Tony Chen; Judy N Fustok; Kelly Song; Heather Rylander; Emma Chow; Kevin A Ostrowski; Charles H Muller; Thomas J Walsh Journal: Ther Adv Urol Date: 2021-07-20