Tuesday 30 August 2016

Cannabinoid receptor activates spermatozoa

(Ruhr-University Bochum) Biologists from Bochum and Bonn have detected a cannabinoid receptor in spermatozoa. Endogenous cannabinoids that occur in both the male and the female genital tract activate the spermatozoa: they trigger the so-called acrosome reaction, during which the spermatozoon releases digestive enzymes and loses the cap on the anterior half of its head. Without this reaction, spermatozoa cannot penetrate the ovum. The researchers published their findings in Scientific Reports.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://ift.tt/2bCPzgb

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