Honors Theses

Date of Award

5-8-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

First Advisor

Kristine Willett

Second Advisor

Nicole Ashpole

Third Advisor

Courtney Roper

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), a minor cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa, is gaining attention for its potential therapeutic applications, yet its effects on early development remain poorly understood. This study investigated how the timing of THCV exposure influences morphological, behavioral, and bioaccumulation outcomes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. Embryos were exposed to 2 μM THCV during discrete developmental windows (6–30, 30–54, 54–78, 78–102) and continuous 6–102 hours post-fertilization (hpf), designed to model early stages of human gestation. Behavioral analysis using a larval photomotor response assay revealed significant reductions in locomotor activity during dark phases, with the strongest hypoactivity observed in later exposure windows and continuous exposure groups. Morphological effects were less consistent, though prolonged exposure (6–102 hpf) resulted in increased edema incidence and decreased eye diameter. Bioaccumulation analysis demonstrated significantly higher THCV levels in larvae exposed during later developmental stages, suggesting stage-dependent differences in uptake, potentially due to the loss of the chorion barrier in zebrafish models. Overall, these findings indicate that THCV produces exposure and window-dependent developmental effects, with neural and behavioral processes showing greater sensitivity than morphology. This study highlights the importance of exposure timing in assessing the developmental risks of emerging cannabinoids and reinforces the need for further research on dose-dependent and long-term outcomes.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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