1. Expression of the endocannabinoid system and response to cannabinoid components by the human fetal testis
- Author
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Dochez-Arnault, J, Desdoits-Lethimonier, C, Matias, I, Evrard, B, Lagarrigue, M, Toupin, M, Lardenois, A, Chalmel, F, Mazaud-Guittot, S, Dejucq-Rainsford, N, Gely-Pernot, A, Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset), Université d'Angers (UA)-Université de Rennes (UR)-École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique [EHESP] (EHESP)-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM)-Structure Fédérative de Recherche en Biologie et Santé de Rennes ( Biosit : Biologie - Santé - Innovation Technologique ), Neurocentre Magendie : Physiopathologie de la Plasticité Neuronale (U1215 Inserm - UB), Université de Bordeaux (UB)-Institut François Magendie-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), and This study was supported by a grant from La Ligue contre le cancer and by EHESP – School of Public Health, University of Rennes 1 (Défis émergents) and the Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm).
- Subjects
THC ,Germ cell development and cancer ,Human fetal exposure ,[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio] ,Testis ,Environmental factors ,CBD ,Endocrine disruptors ,Endocannabinoids - Abstract
International audience; BACKGROUND: Cannabis consumption by pregnant women continues to increase worldwide, raising concerns about adverse effects on fetal growth and deleterious impacts on the newborn, in connection with evidence of placental transfer of cannabis compound. Cannabis action is mediated by the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which expression is well established in the brain but unknown in the developing testis. The fetal testis, whose endocrine function orchestrates the masculinization of many distant organs, is particularly sensitive to disruption by xenobiotics. In this context, we aimed to determine whether cannabis exposure has the potential to directly impact the human fetal testis. METHODS: We determined the expression of components of the ECS in the human fetal testis from 6 to 17 developmental weeks and assessed the direct effects of phytocannabinoids Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on the testis morphology and cell functions ex vivo. RESULTS: We demonstrate the presence in the human fetal testis of two key endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) and to a lower level anandamide (AEA), as well as a range of enzymes and receptors for the ECS. Ex vivo exposure of first trimester testes to CBD, THC, or CBD/THC [ratio 1:1] at 10(-7) to 10(-5) M altered testosterone secretion by Leydig cells, AMH secretion by Sertoli cells, and impacted testicular cell proliferation and viability as early as 72 h post-exposure. Transcriptomic analysis on 72 h-exposed fetal testis explants revealed 187 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including genes involved in steroid synthesis and toxic substance response. Depending on the molecules and testis age, highly deleterious effects of phytocannabinoid exposure were observed on testis tissue after 14 days, including Sertoli and germ cell death. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to evidence the presence of the ECS in the human fetal testis and to highlight the potential adverse effect of cannabis consumption by pregnant women onto the development of the male gonad.
- Published
- 2023