Maternal or paternal exposure to cannabinoids affects central neurotransmitter levels and reproductive function in male offspring

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.