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Concentrations of the endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamine in the follicular fluid of women with endometriosis: the role of M1 polarised macrophages.
- Source :
-
Reproduction, fertility, and development [Reprod Fertil Dev] 2021 Feb; Vol. 33 (4), pp. 270-278. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Although N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA; also known as anandamide) is present in human follicular fluid (FF), its regulation remains unknown. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to: (1) investigate the relationships between FF AEA concentrations in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology and their age, body mass index, ART characteristics and fertility treatment outcomes; and (2) assess how different inflammatory patterns may trigger AEA production by human granulosa cells (hGCs). FF AEA concentrations were higher in women undergoing IVF than in those undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection group. FF AEA median concentrations were lower in women undergoing ART because of male factor infertility than in women with endometriosis (1.6 vs 2.5nM respectively), but not women with tubal, hormonal or unexplained infertility (1.6, 2.4 and 1.9nM respectively). To evaluate the effects of macrophages on AEA production by hGCs, hGCs were cocultured with monocyte-derived macrophages. The conditioned medium from M1 polarised macrophages increased AEA production by hGCs. This was accompanied by an increase in AEA-metabolising enzymes, particularly N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D. The results of the present study show that high FF AEA concentrations in patients with endometriosis may be associated with the recruitment of inflammatory chemokines within the ovary, which together may contribute to the decreased reproductive potential of women with endometriosis. Collectively, these findings add a new player to the hormone and cytokine networks that regulate fertility in women.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Amidohydrolases metabolism
Case-Control Studies
Coculture Techniques
Cross-Sectional Studies
Endometriosis diagnosis
Endometriosis immunology
Female
Granulosa Cells immunology
Humans
Infertility, Female diagnosis
Infertility, Female immunology
Infertility, Female therapy
Macrophages immunology
Phenotype
Phospholipase D metabolism
Prospective Studies
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
THP-1 Cells
Young Adult
Arachidonic Acids metabolism
Endocannabinoids metabolism
Endometriosis metabolism
Follicular Fluid metabolism
Granulosa Cells metabolism
Infertility, Female metabolism
Macrophages metabolism
Paracrine Communication
Polyunsaturated Alkamides metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1031-3613
- Volume :
- 33
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Reproduction, fertility, and development
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33551019
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1071/RD20247