Effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and ethanol on body weight protein and nucleic acid synthesis in chick embryos.

Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or ethanol were administered into the yolk sac of chicken eggs at various times of incubation. Repetitive injections of 1 or 2 mg THC and/or 10 mul of alcohol were fiven. With a schedule of injections on days 2, 4, 7, and 9 with sacrifice on day 11, or on days 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11 with sacrifice on day 15, the body weight was reduced and the liver weight increased. The latter schedule also decreased the weight of the forebrain. Injections of labeled leucine and uridine were also given 1 hr before sacrifice to determine the rate of incorporation of these precursors into protein and RNA. Apparent changes were found in the specific activities of protein and RNA in different parts of the brain and liver. No overall metabolic trends emerged, however. No teratogenic effects were visible with the dosage schedules used.