O-053 Link between cannabis use and fertility: effects on gamete competence and early embryonic development

Worldwide human fertility has been facing a significant decline over recent years. Therefore, attention focused on identifying environmental and lifestyle risk factors that may be contributing to impact reproductive function. The use of alcohol, tobacco certain medications have undergone substantial assessment into their effects fertility. As physicians aim offer the most appropriate recommendations patients, it is utmost importance understand side readily available substances mechanisms action. Cannabis falls this group used regularly by women men age, with its consumption steadily rising onset legalization in Canada 2018 also amongst pregnant women. At present, Society Obstetricians Gynecologists recommends especially if considering pregnancy, discontinue cannabis use. There is, however, inconclusive evidence links This presentation will outline data from our laboratory Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), main psychoactive component cannabis, oocytes competency sperm fertilization capability. In fact chronic exposure adversely affects male system, inducing oligospermia, morphologically abnormal sperm, impaired motility rodents. Using bovine model as translational for humans, we identified THC oocyte developmental parameters, gene expression well such motility, morphology, capacitation mitochondrial potential. general hypothesis at basis research program aims elucidate clinically relevant doses epigenetic modifications embryos, ultimately affecting pregnancy outcome. We showed significantly reduced ability THC-treated undergo nuclear maturation, leading decreased capability poor embryonic development. acts partial agonist Cannabinoid receptors 1 2 (CB1 CB2), were reverted addition antagonists. decrease maturation cleavage rate exposed higher THC, representative high recreational Cannabis, allows us speculate might act selection factor only highest quality oocytes, overcome effects. more immature negatively affected being pushed towards meiotic resumption, early prior gaining competence. Levels connexin gap-junction proteins indicator competency, they highly correlate potential embryo quality. Our results demonstrated 37 (CX37) 43 (CX43) mRNA levels measured digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), low dose group, therapeutic Cannabis. More recently shown how methylation granulosa cells, via disrupting de-methylation enzymes, determining and, therefore, exerts parallel gametes well, increasing vitro treated key microRNAs are linked development, therefore pre-implantation development ultimately, suggest an overall detrimental effect both female gametes, influencing likelihood viable when undergoing artificial technologies procedures. Trial registration number XXXX