Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 25, 2025
05:13
Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Published on: February 28, 2025
539
Cannabis use and the sperm epigenome: a budding concern?
Rose Schrott1,2, Susan K Murphy1,2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, The Chesterfield, 701 W. Main Street, Suite 510, Durham, NC 27701 USA.
Environmental Epigenetics
|March 27, 2020
Summary
Male cannabis use may alter sperm DNA methylation, potentially impacting offspring health. Research highlights changes in sperm epigenetics and offspring behavior following parental cannabis or THC exposure, underscoring the need for further study.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Science
- Epigenetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit psychoactive drug in the USA, with increasing legalization for medical and recreational purposes.
- Male cannabis use is an understudied concern regarding potential long-term health consequences for offspring.
- Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation in sperm, are vulnerable to environmental exposures like cannabis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cannabis use and potency in the USA.
- To summarize the effects of parental cannabis or THC exposure on sperm epigenetics and offspring behavior.
- To highlight the impact of cannabis on the sperm DNA methylome and its potential influence on offspring development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on cannabis use and its effects on sperm DNA methylation.
- Examination of research utilizing rodent models to assess parental THC or cannabinoid exposure.
- Analysis of studies investigating behavioral changes in offspring following parental cannabis exposure.
Main Results:
- Cannabis use in humans and THC exposure in rats significantly alter the sperm DNA methylome.
- Rodent models show methylation and behavioral changes in offspring of fathers exposed to THC or synthetic cannabinoids.
- Parental THC exposure in rodent models also resulted in epigenetic and behavioral alterations in offspring.
Conclusions:
- Parental cannabis exposure can lead to significant epigenetic changes in sperm.
- These epigenetic alterations may influence the health and behavior of offspring.
- Urgent need for further research on the effects of cannabis exposure on childhood health and development, especially given rising usage rates.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:41Spermatogenesis
120.6K
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
120.6K
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
3.6K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...
3.6K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
33.3K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.3K
01:22Sperm Structure and Semen Composition
9.1K
During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...
9.1K
01:23Infertility in Males
485
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
485
01:21Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
605
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
605