Study Links THC Exposure to Altered Egg Development,Raising Fertility Concerns
TORONTO – A new study from the University of Toronto suggests detectable levels of THC may impact egg quality and fertility,despite appearing to increase egg maturation rates.Researchers found that while THC exposure correlated with a higher percentage of mature eggs, these eggs were also more likely to have an abnormal number of chromosomes – a critical factor for accomplished embryo development.
The research, published recently, involved analyzing immature eggs donated by women undergoing fertility treatment and laboratory experiments exposing eggs to THC for 24 hours. Results showed a rise in altered spindles, structural components vital for proper chromosome alignment, potentially hindering healthy embryo formation.
“Chromosomes need time to align perfectly to be ready to be fertilized by sperm and create healthy embryos,” explained Cyntia Duval, the study’s lead author, in an interview with CNN. “So yes, we have more oocytes that are mature, but at what price if they don’t have the right number of chromosomes?”
Duval emphasized the findings are preliminary and do not establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.”This is a hypothesis, and the worst thing I would want is for the public to read this and become fearful,” she stated. “more studies are needed to verify our findings and determine how or even if the changes we observed affect reproduction.”
The study’s release coincides with a important increase in cannabis use among pregnant women. A June report indicated past-month cannabis use in this demographic more than tripled in the U.S. between 2002 and 2020.
Dr. Jamie Lo, an obstetrician and associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, called the study’s findings “concerning” and underscored the need for caution when planning conception. “With this data, these patients can consider reducing the amount of cannabis that they are using to mitigate adverse outcomes to their babies,” Lo told CNN.
Experts also point to the increasing potency of THC as a potential factor. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports THC concentrations have quadrupled between 1995 and 2022, with some cannabis concentrates now exceeding 40% THC. Higher concentrations are linked to increased risk of cannabis use disorder and other health issues.
lo advises patients to explore safer alternatives for symptom management or reduce cannabis frequency, given the difficulty in determining precise THC levels in available products.
Further information on cannabis use during pregnancy is available from the American Academy of Family Physicians: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2024/0700/cannabis-during-pregnancy.html.