Sl. Dalterio et al., Maternal or paternal exposure to cannabinoids affects central neurotransmitter levels and reproductive function in male offspring, MARIHUANA AND MEDICINE, 1999, pp. 441-447
A single prenatal exposure to cannabinol or cannabidiol reduced brain norep
inephrine and dopamine and hypothalamic NE concentrations, but increased br
ain levels of serotonin and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. In
addition, testicular testosterone concentrations and seminal vesicles weigh
ts were reduced in animals exposed to CBN. In contrast, seminal vesicles we
ights were increased in CBD-exposed males. Prenatal exposure to the major p
sychoactive component of marihuana, delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol on one of
the last four days of gestation did not affect these parameters.
The F-1 male offspring of male mice treated with CBN, CBD, or THC presented
evidence of reduced fertility and testicular chromosomal abnormalities. In
addition, two of the F-1 male offspring of the THC-treated mice sired litt
ers containing pups with severe congenital malformations.
These findings indicate that maternal or paternal exposure to cannabinoids
can influence developmental and reproductive functions in offspring. Thus,
cannabinoids appear to be both mutagenic and teratogenic in mice.