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Marijuana consumption affects the male reproductive health.

Authors:

Abstract

Introduction: Marijuana, the popular name for dried Cannabis sativa, is the most consumed drug worldwide. The main compound and most potent psychoactive agent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC), acts as a negative competitor to the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide, by interacting with specific receptors CNR1 (GeneID 1268) and CNR2 (GeneID 1269). These receptors are expressed mostly in the central nervous system (CNR1) and sperm (CNR1 and CNR2) affecting sperm motility and acrosome reaction. Objective: To examine the effects of Marijuana consumption on seminal parameters and hormonal levels in men Methods: The study included 34marijuana users (study group) aged 21 to 58 years-old, and 814 pre-vasectomy patients (control group) from both the private laboratory Androscience and the Section of Andrology - HCFMUSP. Seminal analysis was performed according to the WHO’s guidelines and morphology also according to the Kruger´s criteria. Data analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test and a linear model of gamma distribution to extract the age effects on each parameter; p value of <0.05 was adopted. Results: Significant effect of Marijuana was observed in LH levels, seminal pH, total sperm count, total progressive motility and both WHO and Kruger morphology (p<0.001) Conclusion: The consumption of C. sativa has a significant negative effect on male reproductive health, reflected in a significant elevation of LH levels and a significant reduction in sperm count, progressive motility and morphology. Although the negative impact of THC consumption on sperm presented here confirms previously reported data, there is no report on increased LH levels in Marijuana smokers, suggesting an impact of the drug on the hypothalamus-hypophysis-gonadal axis.
MARIJUANA CONSUMPTION AFFECTS THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.
Rua Joaquim Floriano, 533 # 904
04534-011 - São Paulo SP Brasil
Tel/FAX 30730623
lab@androscience.com.br
www.androscience.com.br
INTRODUCTION
Marijuana is the most consumed
illicit substance currently in the world,
with 119 to 224 million users in 2010. It
is produced from the mixture of leaves
and flower buds of Cannabis sativa
where there are larger concentrations of
its psychoactive agent, delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabiol (THC). THC acts as a
negative competitor to the endogenous
cannabinoid anandamide, by interacting
with specific receptors CNR1 (GeneID
1268) and CNR2 (GeneID 1269). These
receptors are expressed mostly in the
central nervous system (CNR1) and
sperm (CNR1 and CNR2) affecting sperm
motility and acrosome reaction.
Several studies in humans and
animals denote the negative effects of
Cannabis and cannabinoids on
spermatogenesis and in the male
reproductive system. By acting directly
on the hypothalamus through actions on
GnRH release, THC affects
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
reducing the hormones released by the
pituitary gland and affecting germ cells
and Leydig cells.
The negative impact of marijuana
use on reproductive health of men
deserves more information. We present
our retrospective results in a human
sample of regular users of cannabis.
ASA 2013 #70
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of Marijuana
consumption on seminal parameters and
hormonal profile in men.
RESULTS
Significant effect of Marijuana was observed in LH and Prolactin levels, semen pH,
total sperm count, % progressive motility and both WHO and Kruger morphology
criteria (p<0.001) even after gamma distribution correction for age interference.
Seminal analysis
Group
P value
*<0.05
Control
(n=814)
Study
(n=34)
Volume (ml)
2.8
2.6
0.547
pH
7.6
8.1
<0.05*
Total sperm count (million)
114.9
221.1
0.003*
Total motile sperm count
(million)
203.5
140.9
0.034*
Total motility (%)
63.6
54.3
0.053
Progressive motility (%)
49.7
34.6
<0.05*
Motility grade A(%)
25.9
8.0
<0.05*
Motility grade B(%)
23.9
28.6
0.085
Motility grade C(%)
13.9
18.6
0.022*
Motility grade D(%)
36.5
35.8
0.927
Morphology: WHO (%)
6.4
3.2
<0.05*
Morphology: Kruger (%)
20.7
13.9
<0.05*
CONCLUSION
The consumption of Cannabis sativa has negative effects on male reproductive
health, reflected in a significant elevation of LH and Prolactin levels and a significant
reduction in sperm count, progressive motility and morphology. Although the negative
impact of THC consumption on sperm presented here confirms previously reported
data, there is no report on increased LH and Prolactin levels in Marijuana smokers,
suggesting an impact of the drug on the hypothalamus/hypophysis/gonadal axis.
Hormonal profile
Group
P value
*<0.05
Study
(n=34)
Testosterone
(ng/dL)
558.5
0.586
LH (mUI/mL)
5.0
0.002*
FSH (mUI/mL)
6.6
0.658
Prolactin (µg/L)
9.9
<0.05*
Table 1. Semen parameters of marijuana users
and control group.
Table 2. Hormonal profile of
marijuana users and control group.
Andressa Fernandes Ferrette MSc student1,2; Juliana Risso Pariz PhD student1,2,3; Patrícia de Campos Pieri PhD2,3,4; Jorge
Hallak, MD, PhD1,2,3.
1 Section of Andrology, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 2 Reproductive Toxicology Unit
Department of Pathology; Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 3Androscience High Complexity Andrology Laboratory; Referral Laboratory for
Andrology, Cryopreservation and Men´s Reproductive Health, SP, Brazil. 4 Molecular and Cellular Biology Lab (LIM 15), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da
Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
METHODS
The study were comprised of
patients from private laboratory
Androscience and the Section of
Andrology - HCFMUSP.
GROUPS:
Study: Marijuana regular users
(n=37) who looked for andrology
evaluation due to several reasons
(male infertility, testis pain, sexual
complains, infection, etc.) or just as
part of a general check up;
Control: pre-vasectomy patients.
SEMINAL ANALYSIS:
According to the WHO’s (1999)
guidelines and morphology according
to Kruger´s criteria.
HORMONAL PROFILE:
Record’s data collection record and
organization tables.
DATA ANALYSIS:
Wilcoxon test for median comparison
and a linear model of gamma
distribution to extract the age effects
on each parameter; p value of <0.05
was adopted.
References:
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). World Drug Reports. 2012.
Whan, L.B.; West M.C.L.,McClure N.; Lewis S.E.M.; Effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, on human sperm function in vitro. Fertility and Sterility, v. 85, n. 3, p. 553-660, march. 2006.
DIXIT, V. P.; ARYA, M.; LOHIYA, N. K. The effect of chronically administered cannabis extract on the female genital tract of mice and rats. Endokrinologie, 66:365-368, 1974.
DALTERIO, S.; BADR, F.; BARTKE, A.; MAYFIELD, D. Cannabinoids in male mice: effects on fertility and spermatogenesis. Science, 216(4543):315-316, 1982.
RICCI, G.; CACCIOLA, G.; ALTUCCI, L.; MECCARIELLO, R.; PIERANTONI, R.; FASANO, S.; COBELLIS, G. Endocannabinoid control of sperm motility: The role of epididymus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 153 320322, 2007
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