Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

A Rat Methyl-Seq Platform to Identify Epigenetic Changes Associated with Stress Exposure
Published on: October 24, 2018
Cannabinoid exposure and altered DNA methylation in rat and human sperm
Susan K Murphy1, Nilda Itchon-Ramos2, Zachary Visco1
1a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA.
Abstract:
Little is known about the reproductive effects of paternal cannabis exposure. We evaluated associations between cannabis or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure and altered DNA methylation in sperm from humans and rats, respectively. DNA methylation, measured by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, differed in the sperm of human users from non-users by at least 10% at 3,979 CpG sites. Pathway analyses indicated Hippo Signaling and Pathways in Cancer as enriched with altered genes (Bonferroni p < 0.02). These same two pathways were also enriched with genes having altered methylation in sperm from THC-exposed versus vehicle-exposed rats (p < 0.01). Data validity is supported by significant correlations between THC exposure levels in humans and methylation for 177 genes, and substantial overlap in THC target genes in rat sperm (this study) and genes previously reported as having altered methylation in the brain of rat offspring born to parents both exposed to THC during adolescence. In humans, cannabis use was also associated with significantly lower sperm concentration. Findings point to possible pre-conception paternal reproductive risks associated with cannabis use.
Related Concept Videos
Sperm Transport
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
DNA-only Transposons
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
Altered States of Awareness
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...

