Melatonin Mitigates Ovarian Toxicity In Cannabis‐treated Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

OBJECTIVESThis study investigated the effects of Cannabis sativa (CS) and melatonin on oestrus cycle, ovulation and reproductive hormones.METHODSTwenty female rats were assigned into four groups of five animals each, such that the rats received orally 1mL distilled water, 2mg/kg body weight (BW) of CS, 2mg/kg BW of CS plus 4mg/kg BW of melatonin and 4mg/kg BW of melatonin, respectively. Vaginal smears were taken daily to determine the stages of oestrus cycle. Ova counts were done according to the method described by Kim et al., 1994. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), Luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol (E) and progesterone were determined using standard methods.RESULTSCS significantly (p<0.05) lengthened the metestrus and dioestrus phases of oestrus cycle. However, it significantly (p<0.05) shortened the proestrus and estrus phases respectively. There was significant (p<0.05) decrease in the ova count of the cannabis‐treated group when compared with the control and other treatment groups. In addition, animal treated with CS significantly (p<0.05) decreased the GnRH, FSH, LH, E and progesterone levels respectively. All these effects were ameliorated when combined with melatonin to the level comparable to the control.CONCLUSIONThis study showed some of the gonadotoxic effects of CS which could be mediated by endocrine disruption. However, these effects could be ameliorated by melatonin.