Gestational exposure to Δ9-THC impacts ovarian follicular dynamics and angiogenesis in adulthood in Wistar rats.
Annia A Martínez-PeñaKendrick LeeJames J PetrikDaniel B HardyAlison C HollowayPublished in: Journal of developmental origins of health and disease (2021)
With the legalization of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) and increasing use during pregnancy, it is important to understand its impact on exposed offspring. Specifically, the effects of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the major psychoactive component of cannabis, on fetal ovarian development and long-term reproductive health are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of prenatal exposure to Δ9-THC on ovarian health in adult rat offspring. At 6 months of age, Δ9-THC-exposed offspring had accelerated folliculogenesis with apparent follicular development arrest, but no persistent effects on circulating steroid levels. Ovaries from Δ9-THC-exposed offspring had reduced blood vessel density in association with decreased expression of the pro-angiogenic factor VEGF and its receptor VEGFR-2, as well as an increase in the anti-angiogenic factor thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1). Collectively, these data suggest that exposure to Δ9-THC during pregnancy alters follicular dynamics during postnatal life, which may have long-lasting detrimental effects on female reproductive health.
Keyphrases
- high fat diet
- vascular endothelial growth factor
- pregnant women
- endothelial cells
- healthcare
- poor prognosis
- magnetic resonance imaging
- weight gain
- type diabetes
- computed tomography
- insulin resistance
- body mass index
- anti inflammatory
- young adults
- binding protein
- artificial intelligence
- social media
- long non coding rna
- machine learning
- deep learning
- diffusion weighted imaging
- wound healing