MARIJUANA CONSUMPTION AFFECTS THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

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, semen pH, total sperm count, total progressive motility and both WHO and Kruger morphology (p<0.001) Conclusion: The consumption of C. sativa has a negative effects 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/gonad axis.