IN-VITRO EFFECTS OF PSYCHOACTIVE AND NON-PSYCHOACTIVE CANNABINOIDS ONIMMATURE RAT SERTOLI-CELL FUNCTION

We have examined the effects of psychoactive and non-psychoactive cann abinoids on isolated immature rat Sertoli cells cultured in either ser um-free or serum-containing media. Lactate accumulation by Sertoli cel ls in serum-free control cultures was 10 fold greater than the values obtained in control cultures exposed to serum. Under either culture co ndition, 3.1 mug/ml of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THE) or cannabino l (CBN) stimulated lactate secretion above control levels. Cannabidiol (CBD) stimulated lactate secretion in serum-containing but not in ser um-free media. Using serum-free culture conditions, we next studied th e in vitro effects of combinations of THE and either epinephrine or FS H on lactate and transferrin secretion by immature rat Sertoli cells. Co-incubation of 0.1 muM epinephrine with 0. 8 or 3.1 mug/ml THE signi ficantly stimulated lactate secretion when compared to epinephrine or THE alone, while only the high THE dose increased transferrin secretio n. Moreover, co-incubation of FSH (1 mug/ml) with THE (0.8 or 3.1 mug/ ml), significantly stimulated both lactate and transferrin production by immature rat Sertoli cells. These results add to the growing eviden ce that cannabinoids can exert direct effects on Sertoli cell function and modulate their responses to physiological stimuli.