humulene and Fetal-Resorption

Few teratogenic studies in animals have been performed simulating marihuana smoking in man. An inhalation marihuana teratology study was conducted in albino rabbits utilizing a modified automatic smoking machine originally developed for rats and mice. Appropriate numbers of dams were exposed to 4 puffs (0.14 mg/kg), 8 puffs (0.72 mg/kg), or 16 puffs (1.44 mg/kg) once daily during gestation Days 6 to 18, and sacrificed on Day 28. Control dams were exposed to 12 puffs of placebo cigarettes or sham-treated for a similar duration in the absence of any smoke. Consistency of smoke was monitored by cigarette weights, total particulate matter, concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), and tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) in smoke, carboxyhemoglobin levels, and plasma THC levels. Except for a transient decrease in dam respiration rates, other gross toxic signs were absent. Reproductive parameters of mothers were generally normal except for a dose-related embryotoxicity predominantly associated with early resorptions. Despite twice the number of embryo/fetal deaths, there were no marihuana soft tissue or skeletal defects. A correlation between dam demises and CO levels among placebo-exposed animals was related to greater quantities of CO being generated during placebo combustion. It has been shown in the rabbit that marihuana is embryotoxic and not a teratogen at plasma THC levels found in human females.

Topics: Animals; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Female; Fetal Death; Fetal Resorption; Male; Pregnancy; Rabbits; Teratogens

In two separate studies marihuana and alcohol were administered, either separately or in combination, to pregnant mice or rats. Control animals were given vehicle only or were nontreated. Marihuana-, alcohol-, and vehicle-treated animals were pair-fed and pair watered with animals given marihuana plus alcohol, to control for drug-related undernutrition. The combination of marihuana and alcohol caused a 100% fetomortality in mice and a 73% fetomortality in rats, whereas neither marihuana nor alcohol alone had any effects on fetomortality that differed significantly from vehicle treatment. These studies suggest a potential danger to pregnancy resulting from the combined use of two commonly used drugs that is far greater than that associated with use of either drug alone.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Drug Interactions; Ethanol; Female; Fetal Death; Fetal Resorption; Mice; Pregnancy

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cleft Palate; Dronabinol; Female; Fetal Death; Fetal Resorption; Fetus; Gestational Age; Growth; Male; Mice; Pregnancy; Teratogens