Sperm capacitation and transcripts levels are altered by in vitro THC exposure

BMC Molecular and Cell Biology

Research

Jibran Y. Khokhar¹  Michael S. Neal²  Vivien B. Truong³  Ola S. Davis³  Jade Gracey³  Laura A. Favetta³ 

[1] Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada;ONE Fertility, Burlington, ON, Canada;Reproductive Health and Biotechnology Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. East, N1G 2W1, Guelph, ON, Canada;

关键词: Cannabis;    THC;    Sperm;    Capacitation;    Transcriptome;    Fertility;    Motility;    Morphology;    Apoptosis;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12860-023-00468-3

 received in 2022-11-20, accepted in 2023-02-22,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundDelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary phytocannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis and is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system, which is functionally present in the male reproductive system. Since cannabis consumption is the highest among reproductive aged males, the current study aimed to further investigate the effects of THC exposure to phenotypical, physiological, and molecular parameters in sperm. Bull sperm of known fertility were used as a translational model for human sperm and subjected to in vitro treatment with physiologically relevant experimental doses of THC. Sperm parameters, capacitation, apoptosis, and transcript levels were evaluated following treatment.ResultsMotility, morphology, and viability of bovine sperm was unaltered from THC exposure. However, 0.32µM of THC caused an increased proportion of capacitating sperm (p < 0.05) compared to control and vehicle group sperm. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 39 genes were found to be differentially expressed by 0.032µM THC exposure, 196 genes were differentially expressed by 0.32µM THC exposure, and 33 genes were differentially expressed by 3.2µM THC. Secondary analysis reveals pathways involving development, nucleosomes, ribosomes and translation, and cellular metabolism to be significantly enriched.ConclusionPhytocannabinoid exposure to sperm may adversely affect sperm function by stimulating premature capacitation. These findings also show for the first time that spermatozoal transcripts may be altered by THC exposure. These results add to previous research demonstrating the molecular effects of cannabinoids on sperm and warrant further research into the effects of cannabis on male fertility.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

12302_2023_718_Article_IEq50.gif

12302_2023_718_Article_IEq49.gif

12888_2023_4583_Article_IEq1.gif

Fig. 5

Fig. 6