Marijuana use and quality of sperm for fertility competency: a preliminary investigation

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The literature was contradictory about the effects of marijuana use on sperm parameters. Laboratory findings, of excellent sperm quality for some Jamaican males who are chronic marijuana users, support these contradictory findings. This paper describes and compares levels of marijuana smoking with sperm quality and pregnancy history among Jamaican men concerned with their fertility potential. DESIGN AND METHODS: Ninety-four male clients referred to a fertility clinic over an 8-month period completed a standard form which included demographics, employment data, general health, lifestyle practices, fatherhood and medical history, and an additional questionnaire which detailed their marijuana use. RESULTS: Significantly more chronic marijuana users had poor sperm quality, particularly preparation sperm count and motility, compared to those who had never smoked marijuana. This effect was found without differentiating current from chronic use. There were no differences in the distribution of marijuana use between men with extremely low or excellent sperm quality. A surprising finding was that males under 30 years old, who were less likely to be chronic users, had similar critically low sperm count as males over 50. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic marijuana use seems to negatively affect sperm quality (especially preparation sperm parameters). However, the effects need to be more thoroughly investigated with the use of a larger sample size, more robust testing using DNA, and by examining socio-cultural practices associated with marijuana smoking.