Effects of marijuana on human reproduction.

As U.S. states steadily legalize its distribution and the prevalence of its use in people of reproductive age continues to rise, the need to understand the effects of marijuana on human physiology is becoming increasingly urgent. While marijuana is well-known for its psychoactive effects and applications in controlling pain and nausea, little is known about its effects on reproduction. This review includes in vitro studies which consistently demonstrate associations between marijuana consumption and low sperm count, dysregulated menstruation, and abnormal placentation. While many in vivo studies associate maternal marijuana use with stillbirth, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and offspring psychosis, significant literature negates these relationships by controlling for poly-substance use and socioeconomic status. Data limited by self-reporting and confounds precludes the drawing of definitive conclusions regarding the effects of marijuana on reproduction. This review serves as a call to action to elucidate these effects and discourage marijuana use in people of reproductive age.

Retained copper fragments following removal of a copper intrauterine device: Two case reports.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are safe, cost-effective, and reliable contraceptives, and are gaining popularity worldwide. While complications associated with IUD use are rare, they range from expulsion to uterine perforation. Numerous reports have been published regarding the sequelae of intraperitoneal copper IUDs or retained fragments following the removal of a fractured device. No data exist, however, on the intraperitoneal retention of copper following the removal of an otherwise intact IUD. Here we present two patients in whom copper IUDs were found to have missing fragments of copper wire despite removal of an otherwise intact IUD found in utero. We caution providers to examine all removed devices carefully, to surgically address intraperitoneal copper in order to mitigate adhesion formation, and to counsel patients about this potentially serious complication.

Mutations in GFAP Disrupt the Distribution and Function of Organelles in Human Astrocytes.

How mutations in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) cause Alexander disease (AxD) remains elusive. We generated iPSCs from two AxD patients and corrected the GFAP mutations to examine the effects of mutant GFAP on human astrocytes. AxD astrocytes displayed GFAP aggregates, recapitulating the pathological hallmark of AxD. RNA sequencing implicated the endoplasmic reticulum, vesicle regulation, and cellular metabolism. Corroborating this analysis, we observed enlarged and heterogeneous morphology coupled with perinuclear localization of endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes in AxD astrocytes. Functionally, AxD astrocytes showed impaired extracellular ATP release, which is responsible for attenuated calcium wave propagation. These results reveal that AxD-causing mutations in GFAP disrupt intracellular vesicle regulation and impair astrocyte secretion, resulting in astrocyte dysfunction and AxD pathogenesis.