Histological and Biochemical Alterations in the Superior Colliculus and Lateral Geniculate Nucleus of Juvenile Rats Following Prenatal Exposure to Marijuana Smoke

Prenatal exposure to Marijuana (MJN) has been associated with various brain deficits. The main activity in marijuana, Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), crosses the placenta and affects fetal brain development. Despite this, marijuana remains a commonly abused substance among pregnant women. The current study examined the histological and biochemical changes in the Superior Colliculus (SC) and Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (LGN) in rat brains prenatally exposed to marijuana. Methods: Four groups of pregnant rats (n=5 rats/group) were exposed to the smoke of 10 g/ kg marijuana at various days during their gestational period, with a group (control), i.e., not exposed. After parturition, the litters from each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on postnatal days 7, 14, and 21; the superior colliculi and lateral geniculate nuclei were excised. Tissue sections were prepared for histological studies using Haematoxylin and Eosin stains. Biochemical studies were performed on alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity levels. The histological and biochemical analyses of tissues were performed. Results: Prenatal exposure to marijuana resulted in spontaneous abortion and affected neuronal morphology in the SC and LGN of the progeny. Furthermore, the levels of enzyme activities were altered following maternal exposure to MJN. Conclusion: These data suggested that histological changes in the SC and LGN were associated with oxidative damage