AUTHOR=Cobellis Gilda , Meccariello Rosaria , Chianese Rosanna , Chioccarelli Teresa , Fasano Silvia , Pierantoni Riccardo 

TITLE=Effects of Neuroendocrine CB1 Activity on Adult Leydig Cells

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2016.00047

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2016.00047

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<p>Endocannabinoids control male reproduction acting at central and local level <italic>via</italic> cannabinoid receptors. The cannabinoid receptor CB1 has been characterized in the testis, in somatic and germ cells of mammalian and non-mammalian animal models, and its activity related to Leydig cell differentiation, steroidogenesis, spermiogenesis, sperm quality, and maturation. In this short review, we provide a summary of the insights concerning neuroendocrine CB1 activity in male reproduction focusing on adult Leydig cell ontogenesis and steroid biosynthesis.</p>