Female mouse offspring exposed to cannabis in the womb showed paradoxical metabolic effects: impaired blood sugar control on normal diet but reduced fat accumulation on a high-fat diet, while male offspring showed no effects.
Researchers studying prenatal cannabis exposure effects, and anyone interested in the long-term health implications of cannabis use during pregnancy.
Female-only effects: impaired glucose control on normal diet
What the researchers found
Pregnant mice consumed cannabis extract (5 mg/kg THC daily) from early gestation through postnatal day 10. Pup weight was initially reduced but recovered by day 16. On a high-fat diet, exposed females had reduced fat accumulation and lower insulin, leptin, and resistin, independent of body weight. On a normal diet, exposed females showed altered insulin sensitivity with increased glucagon levels and reduced pancreatic islet size. Male offspring showed no metabolic effects from exposure.
Why it matters
Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing with legalization. This study reveals sex-specific metabolic programming effects that may not be apparent until later in life, particularly under metabolic challenge (high-fat diet). The finding that effects appear only in females highlights the importance of studying both sexes.
The numbers in context
THC dose: 5 mg/kg/day. Exposure: gestational day 1.5 through postnatal day 10. Female-specific effects on HFD: reduced adiposity, lower insulin/leptin/resistin. Female-specific effects on control diet: altered insulin sensitivity, increased glucagon, reduced islet size.
How the study worked
Pregnant mice voluntarily consumed cannabis extract (5 mg/kg/day THC) from gestational day 1.5 through postnatal day 10. Male and female offspring were placed on high-fat or control diet at postnatal day 49 for 12 weeks. Measured weight gain, adiposity, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, hormones, and pancreatic structure.
What this study cannot tell us
Animal study; mouse metabolism differs from human. Voluntary cannabis consumption model, though ecological, makes precise dosing difficult. Small group sizes typical of animal studies. Cannot separate prenatal from postnatal exposure effects (exposure continued to PD10).
How to read the evidence
Preliminary: animal study with detailed metabolic phenotyping but limited translational certainty.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
The paradox of prenatal cannabis exposure being metabolically harmful on a normal diet but seemingly protective on a high-fat diet raises complex questions. It suggests the exposure alters fundamental metabolic programming in sex-specific ways that interact with later dietary environment.
Questions still open
- Do these sex-specific metabolic effects occur in humans exposed to cannabis prenatally?
- Would the metabolic changes become apparent only under metabolic stress?
- What mechanisms drive the female-specific vulnerability?
Common questions
Does cannabis use during pregnancy affect the baby's metabolism?
Are boys and girls affected differently by prenatal cannabis exposure?
Read the original research
Sex differences in the effects of maternal voluntary oral Cannabis consumption on the metabolic outcomes of high-fat diet in adult offspring.
British journal of pharmacology, 182(11), 2354-2373
Citation
Sallam, Nada A; Peterson, Colleen S; Kamar, Samaa S; Saenz, Camila; Visser, Frank; Borgland, Stephanie L. (2025). Sex differences in the effects of maternal voluntary oral Cannabis consumption on the metabolic outcomes of high-fat diet in adult offspring.. British journal of pharmacology, 182(11), 2354-2373. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.17447
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