Innovative Methods for Prenatal Cannabis Exposure: Vapor Inhalation Chamber and Metabolite Quantification in Prairie...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing globally.
• Understanding prenatal cannabis exposure is crucial for public health.
• Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a standardized cross-species inhalation exposure protocol for THC.
• To investigate THC distribution in maternal and fetal tissues.
• To establish a translational model for prenatal cannabis exposure research.

Main Methods:

• Administered vaporized THC to pregnant prairie voles and laboratory rats using an e-cigarette system.
• Measured THC concentrations in maternal plasma and fetal brain tissue via LC-MS/MS.
• Compared THC levels between species and in maternal versus fetal brain tissue.

Main Results:

• THC readily crossed the placental barrier in both species.
• Fetal brain THC concentrations were significantly higher in exposed groups.
• Rat fetal brain THC levels were higher than in prairie voles.
• Maternal brain THC concentrations exceeded fetal brain concentrations in voles.

Conclusions:

• Prenatal THC exposure leads to significant fetal brain accumulation.
• Species-specific differences in THC distribution were observed.
• The study established a novel translational model for prenatal cannabis exposure research.