The in vivo effects of tetrahydrocannabinol on the activity of lactate and succinate dehydrogenases in rat preovulatory follicles.

The effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the activities of lactate and succinate dehydrogenases in the theca interna and membrana granulosa of rat preovulatory follicles have been analysed microdensitometrically using the same injection regime employed in a previous study on steroidogenic enzymes. A small but statistically significant (18%) decrease in succinate dehydrogenase activity was observed in the theca interna, but none in any region of the membrana granulosa. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was unaffected by THC administration. Thus, a dosage and regimen sufficient to cause significant decreases in the activities of steroidogenic enzymes had little effect on succinate and lactate dehydrogenases in rat preovulatory follicles.