The effect of intragastric administration of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the growth and development of fetal mice of the A/J strain.
Pregnant A/J mice were intubated with vehicle (sesame oil:Tween 80:water) or 60, 120, or 240 mg/kg of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on Days 11 and 12, 12 and 13, or 13 and 14 (vehicle and 240 mg doses only) of gestation. Mice were killed on Day 20 of gestation, and examined for number of corpora lutea and live and resorbed fetuses. Fetuses were weighed and examined for gross external and internal malformations. Each treatment group consisted of a minimum of 10 litters with about 10 pups per litter. In a few groups the effects of feed deprivation on Day 12 or of glucocorticoid administration on Days 12 and 13 (positive control) were assessed. Intubation with vehicle or delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or feed deprivation did not affect number of live fetuses, incidence of resorption, fetal weights, or gross malformations other than cleft palate. Intubation of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on gestational Days 12 and 13 or 13 and 14 increased the mean frequency of cleft palate formation. The increase was 2- to 2.5-fold at the 240-mg dose, being significant (p = 0.05) in the Days 12 and 13 group. Cortisone acetate and corticosterone injection induced both resorption and cleft palate formation. Other developmental or reproductive parameters were not influenced by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol treatment. We conclude that delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol administered by gavage during Days 12 and 13 of gestation retards normal palatal development.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000139:chemically induced; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005327:Fetal Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D011247:Pregnancy
D013759:Dronabinol