Chronic Cannabis-induced oxidative stress and reproductive containment in female mice

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate cannabinoid-induced oxidative stress and reproductive containment in female mice. Settings and Design: Fifteen adult female Parkes strain mice were randomly chosen from the institutional animal house (n = 5/group) with ad libitum access to water and food. Animals were grouped into control (vehicle treated) and treated with 6 mg of Cannabis/100 g of body weight and 12 mg of Cannabis/100 g of body weight. After 15 days, all animals were sacrificed and tissues were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and estimations of different parameters. Methods and Materials: Histology and IHC of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) were performed following standardized protocols. All parameters were estimated either by standard biochemical protocols or by kit following manufacturer’s protocol. Serum level of Estrogen (E2), stress parameters (Super Oxide Dismutase; SOD, Catalase, CAT; Malonaldehyde, MDA and Glutathione Peroxidase; GPx), apoptotic parameters of thecal cells (by Caspase-3 assay), steroidogenic parameters (3β Hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase; 3βHSD and 17β Hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase; 17βHSD) and expression of CB1 were noted in ovary. Statistical analyses used: Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range post hoc test. Results: We found statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease in steroidogenic parameters and significant increase (P < 0.05) in free radical and apoptotic parameters and CB1 receptor expressions on dose-dependent Cannabis treatment. Conclusions: We may conclude that chronic treatment of Cannabis causes reproductive containment in females which has never been addressed previously.