Endocannabinoids and Reproduction

Call for Papers

Endocannabinoids, endogenous lipid mediators that mimic the effects of D9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active constituent of the marijuana plant, are able to deeply modulate both male and female reproductive functions. Nowadays, the knowledge of basic, conserved aspects in the field of endocannabinoids and reproduction might contribute to the discovery of new potential target for the exploitation of drugs to treat infertility in humans. Thus, we invite investigators to contribute with original research and review papers in order to provide insights into the involvement of endocannabinoids in the multifaceted process of reproduction. We are particularly interested in endocannabinoid signaling in the endocrine/neuroendocrine control of reproduction; advances in endocannabinoid activity in male and female gonad and reproductive tract; interaction of endocannabinoid system and sex hormones; turmoil exerted by cannabinoids in reproduction; new insights in endocannabinoid system and epigenetic modifications; and evidence for the potential use of endocannabinoid system components as target/drugs in the treatment of infertility in humans. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Endocrine and neuroendocrine control of reproductive axis
• Sexual behaviour
• Endocannabinoid signaling in reproduction
• Role of endocannabinoid system in germ cell maturation, fertilization, implantation, and embryo development
• Epigenetics in reproduction
• Clinical aspects in male/female reproduction
• New modulators of endocannabinoid activity in reproduction
• New targets for therapeutic exploitation of drugs to treat infertility in humans

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal’s Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ije/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/ije/cann/ according to the following timetable:

Lead Guest Editor

• Rosaria Meccariello, DiSIST, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy

Guest Editors

• Natalia Battista, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
• Heather B. Bradshaw, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
• Haibin Wang, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China