Prenatal Cannabinoid Exposure Impaired Breathing and Heart Reflexes in Young Rats
Rats exposed to synthetic cannabinoids in the womb showed impaired respiratory motor control and weakened cardiovascular reflexes in early adulthood, with sex-specific patterns of vulnerability.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Prenatal cannabinoid exposure (WIN 55,212-2) caused lasting impairments in cardiorespiratory control in juvenile rats. Females showed reduced postinspiratory drive to laryngeal muscles at rest, suggesting impaired upper airway control. Both males and females showed reduced respiratory responses to low oxygen and high CO2. Males additionally showed attenuated sympathetic cardiovascular responses to these challenges.
Key Numbers
WIN 55,212-2 dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day during gestation. Measurements at 27-28 days old (juvenile). Females: reduced postinspiratory activity to laryngeal muscles at rest. Both sexes: reduced postinspiratory and expiratory motor responses to chemoreceptor activation and hypercapnia. Males: attenuated sympathoexcitatory responses.
How They Did This
In situ nerve recording preparations from juvenile rats (27-28 days old) whose mothers received synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 (0.5 mg/kg/day) or vehicle during gestation. Respiratory and sympathetic nerve activities were measured during resting conditions and during chemoreceptor stimulation.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis use among pregnant women is increasing, partly due to beliefs that its natural origin guarantees safety. This study shows that prenatal cannabinoid exposure can disrupt the development of brain circuits controlling breathing and blood pressure, with effects that persist into early adulthood.
The Bigger Picture
The endocannabinoid system plays a critical role in fetal brain development, including the maturation of circuits that control breathing and cardiovascular function. Disrupting this system with exogenous cannabinoids during pregnancy may create lasting vulnerabilities in how offspring respond to physiological stress, such as low oxygen situations.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Animal study using a synthetic cannabinoid (WIN 55,212-2), which has different pharmacology than plant-derived THC. In situ preparation rather than awake, behaving animals. Cannot directly translate doses or outcomes to human pregnancy. Single time point assessment (juvenile).
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these cardiorespiratory deficits persist into full adulthood?
- ?Would plant-derived THC produce the same effects?
- ?Could these respiratory control impairments increase SIDS risk in exposed offspring?
- ?Are the sex differences in vulnerability clinically relevant?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Both sexes showed impaired breathing reflexes; males also had weakened heart responses
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary evidence from an animal model using synthetic cannabinoid, requiring confirmation with plant-derived THC and human studies.
- Study Age:
- 2025 animal study examining lasting cardiorespiratory effects of prenatal cannabinoid exposure.
- Original Title:
- Prenatal cannabinoid exposure affects central cardiorespiratory control in young male and female rats.
- Published In:
- Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 138(5), 1201-1216 (2025)
- Authors:
- Patrone, Luis Gustavo A(3), Karlen-Amarante, Marlusa, Gargaglioni, Luciane H(3), Zoccal, Daniel B
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07325
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis use during pregnancy affect the baby's breathing?
In this rat study, prenatal cannabinoid exposure impaired the development of brain circuits controlling breathing. Exposed offspring had weakened respiratory reflexes when faced with low oxygen or high CO2, with effects persisting into the equivalent of adolescence.
Were males and females affected differently?
Yes. Females showed impaired upper airway muscle control at rest, while males showed weakened cardiovascular responses to respiratory challenges. Both sexes had reduced respiratory motor responses to oxygen and CO2 challenges.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07325APA
Patrone, Luis Gustavo A; Karlen-Amarante, Marlusa; Gargaglioni, Luciane H; Zoccal, Daniel B. (2025). Prenatal cannabinoid exposure affects central cardiorespiratory control in young male and female rats.. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 138(5), 1201-1216. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00044.2025
MLA
Patrone, Luis Gustavo A, et al. "Prenatal cannabinoid exposure affects central cardiorespiratory control in young male and female rats.." Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00044.2025
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Prenatal cannabinoid exposure affects central cardiorespirat..." RTHC-07325. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/patrone-2025-prenatal-cannabinoid-exposure-affects
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.