Sperm capacitation and transcripts levels are altered by in vitro THC exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary phytocannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis and is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system, which is functionally present in the male reproductive system. Since cannabis consumption is the highest among reproductive aged males, the current study aimed to further investigate the effects of THC exposure to phenotypical, physiological, and molecular parameters in sperm. Bull sperm of known fertility were used as a translational model for human sperm and subjected to in vitro treatment with physiologically relevant experimental doses of THC. Sperm parameters, capacitation, apoptosis, and transcript levels were evaluated following treatment.

Results

Motility, morphology, and viabil

SUBMITTER: Truong VB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9951432 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature