Fertility effects cannabis

In animals (particularly monkeys), cannabis depresses ovarian and testicular function. In man, chronic use has been associated with reduced serum FSH and LH concentrations in a few people, often accompanied by reduced serum testosterone, oligospermia, reduced sperm motility, and gynecomastia (235). There is no evidence of impairment of male fertility no studies have been carried out on female fertility. There is evidence of slightly shortened gestation periods in chronic users (236). There are variable non-specific effects on serum prolactin and growth hormone and a rise in plasma cortisol concentrations has been recorded in one study. 

Studies using animals and humans suggest that cannabis docs disrupt the reproductive system in both males and females. For example, chronic marijuana use has been associated with decreases in the number of sperm and sperm motility among men. The potential effects of these disruptions on fertility arc difficult to specify. Frequent use of cannabis by women may produce nonovulatory menstrual cycles, in which menstruation is not preceded by the release of an ovum. As in the males, the delayed effects of these disruptions on fertility are not known. In their reviews, Ehrenkranz and Hembree (1986) Budney, Moore, and Vandrey (2004) and Zimmer and Morgan (1997) concluded that disruptions in reproductive function arc not obvious, although subtle alterations may be operative. 

For many years scientists have known that in men, marijuana use also causes reduced fertility. A 2000 study conducted by scientists from the University of Buffalo found definite evidence that marijuana use has caused infertility in some men. This research proved that cannabi-noids, both the body s natural cannabinoids and THC from marijuana, can prevent sperm from functioning normally. High concentrations of cannabinoids, for instance, can cause sperm to be less effective at fertilizing eggs. This fact led scientists to conclude that heavy marijuana users may jeopardize their fertility. How often this happens is still unknown, but the lead scientist in the University of Buffalo study stated, The increased load of cannabinoids in people who abuse marijuana could flood the natural cannabinoid-signal systems in reproductive organs and adversely impact fertility. This possibility may explain observations made over the past 30 to 40 years that marijuana smoke drastically reduces sperm production in males. ... 

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