cannabisnews.com: Sperm from Marijuana Smokers Move Too Fast 










  Sperm from Marijuana Smokers Move Too Fast 

Posted by CN Staff on October 13, 2003 at 09:58:50 PT
Press Release 
Source: EurekAlert  

Buffalo, N.Y. -- Men who smoke marijuana frequently have significantly less seminal fluid, a lower total sperm count and their sperm behave abnormally, all of which may affect fertility adversely, a new study in reproductive physiology at the University at Buffalo has shown. This study is the first to assess marijuana's effects on specific swimming behavior of sperm from marijuana smokers and to compare the results with sperm from men with confirmed fertility. Marijuana contains the cannabinoid drug THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is its primary psychoactive chemical, as well as other cannabinoids. 
Results of the study were presented today (Oct. 13, 2003) at the annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in San Antonio. "The bottom line is, the active ingredients in marijuana are doing something to sperm, and the numbers are in the direction toward infertility," said Lani J. Burkman, Ph.D., lead author on the study. Burkman is assistant professor of gynecology/obstetrics and urology and head of the Section on Andrology in the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. UB's andrology laboratory also carries out sophisticated diagnosis for infertile couples. "We don't know exactly what is happening to change sperm functioning," said Burkman, "but we think it is one of two things: THC may be causing improper timing of sperm function by direct stimulation, or it may be bypassing natural inhibition mechanisms. Whatever the cause, the sperm are swimming too fast too early." This aberrant pattern has been connected to infertility in other studies, she noted. Burkman collaborated on earlier, published UB research that was the first to show that human sperm contains cannabinoid receptors, and that the naturally occurring cannabinoid, anandamide, which activates cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other organs, also activates receptors in sperm. This evidence indicated an important role in reproduction for natural cannabinoids. Further research in the andrology laboratory showed that human sperm exposed to high levels of THC displayed abnormal changes in the sperm enzyme cap, called the acrosome. When researchers tested synthetic anandamide equivalents on human sperm, the normal vigorous swimming patterns were changed and the sperm showed reduced ability to attach to the egg before fertilization. Only about 10 laboratories in the U.S. perform this array of sperm function tests. In the current study, Burkman received seminal fluid from 22 confirmed marijuana smokers and subjected the samples to a variety of tests. The volunteers reported smoking marijuana approximately 14 times a week, and for an average of 5.1 years. Control numbers were obtained from 59 fertile men who had produced a pregnancy. All men abstained from sexual activity for two days before the lab analysis. The samples from both groups were tested for volume, sperm-count-per-unit of seminal fluid, total sperm count, percent of sperm that was moving, velocity and sperm shape. Sperm also were assessed for an important function called hyperactivation (HA), a closely regulated and very vigorous type of swimming that is required as the sperm approaches the egg. The researchers evaluated HA and velocity while the sperm was in seminal fluid and again after washing and incubation, when the dead sperm were eliminated. Results showed that both the volume of seminal fluid and the total number of sperm from marijuana smokers were significantly less than for fertile control men. Significant differences also appeared when HA and velocity, both before and after washing, were assessed, the study found. "The sperm from marijuana smokers were moving too fast too early," said Burkman. "The timing was all wrong. These sperm will experience burnout before they reach the egg and would not be capable of fertilization." Burkman noted that many men who smoke marijuana have fathered children. "The men who are most affected likely have naturally occurring borderline fertility potential, and THC from marijuana may push them over the edge into infertility," she said. As to the question of whether fertility potential returns when smokers stop using marijuana: Burkman said the issue hasn't been studied well enough to provide a definitive answer. "THC remains stored in fat for a long period, so the process may be quite slow. We can't say that everything will go back to normal. Most men who have borderline fertility are unaware of that fact. It's difficult to know who is at risk. I definitely would advise anyone trying to conceive not to smoke marijuana, and that would include women as well as men." Additional scientists on the study included Herbert Schuel, Ph.D., UB professor of pathology and anatomical sciences, and the staff of the andrology laboratory. Complete Title: Sperm from Marijuana Smokers Move Too Fast Too Early, Impairing Fertility, UB Research ShowsContact: Lois BakerE-Mail:  ljbaker buffalo.edu716-645-5000 x1417University at Buffalo Source: EurekAlert Published: October 13, 2003Copyright: 2003 American Association for the Advancement of Science Website: http://www.eurekalert.org/Contact: mvalentino meridianhealth.comRelated Articles:Cannabis Danger To Men http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16856.shtmlMarijuana Firmly Linked to Infertilityhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7980.shtml

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help





Comment #27 posted by FoM on July 19, 2004 at 12:17:50 PT
Raw-B 
Infertility is a complicated issue. Have you asked your Doctor? I was only able to have one child and that was it. Cannabis wasn't an issue for me. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #26 posted by Raw-B on July 19, 2004 at 11:59:12 PT:
infertility in mj user???
I have been smoking marijuana for 16 years. I have been trying to get my wife, of 6 years, pregnant for about 3. I don't know if stopping my use will help us conceive. I am hoping to find information to prove that my 6 oz. a year "recreational" use is the underlying factor in our inabitlity to conceive. More information and arguments from both sides will be greatly appreciated. I will give up my smoke, but a bad attitude is sure to follow. My experience has shown me that giving up mj for for over a year had no positive effects on my conception or attitude. Aside from from the escalating cost of this "under the counter" depression/anxiety drug, I am having trouble coping with the fact that some doctor could "prescribe" an alternative...
More information, pro or con, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx,
     Robbie
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #25 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on October 14, 2003 at 17:22:52 PT:
WHAT ABOUT NUTRITION AND ENVIRONMENT?
Nutrition is important for semen production. Try eating the muscle building nutritional supplements, while weight training, and you will notice jism production increases noticably. Notice that when you do not eat enough, your jism production drops below par.Environment is probably important, too.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #24 posted by greenmed on October 13, 2003 at 21:22:34 PT
gutter science
No credible researcher familiar with statistics and the term "null hypothesis" would design an experiment with a mismatched control group such as this. By "cherry-picking" fertile men for the controls, rather than non-cannabis-consuming men of undetermined fertility, Dr. Burkman violates a most basic test-design rule.This design flaw is so striking, I have to give Dr. Burkman at least the benefit of the doubt, and believe there was a valid control group, but that it was discarded when analysis showed no statistical difference in male sperm motility and/or fertility due to cannabis use.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #23 posted by goneposthole on October 13, 2003 at 16:44:43 PT
The study is crackpot hogwash
My wife has one working ovary. A early adulthood trauma left her with only one functional ovary. Together we have four natural born children. I have smoked cannabis for 33 years and she has smoked cannabis for 30 years. If cannabis slows anything, it is the US government's effectiveness in the worthless drug war they wage.Free all casual users and growers.End the drug war. legalize cannabis. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #22 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 16:42:32 PT
Related Article from The BBC UK
Marijuana Smoking Damages Sperm: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3186686.stm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #21 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 16:32:19 PT
Just Being Silly Now
Gosh if a man drinks lots of coffee and smokes lots of cannabis too they will have the zippest sperm ever! This all is too much!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #20 posted by phil_debowl on October 13, 2003 at 16:25:56 PT
Coffee/herb speeds up sperm
Wasn't the bad thing about pot was that it speeds up sperm? But with Coffee, it's good that it speeds up sperm. Weird. Funny how both stories were released the same day.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #19 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 15:57:20 PT
Oh Boy Now Caffeine's In The News!
Caffeine Perks Up Sluggish SpermBy Maxine Frith October 14, 2003Coffee may not simply wake up the brain cells - it could also boost male fertility, new research suggests.Scientists have found that men who drink coffee have sperm that moves better than the sperm of those who lay off the caffeine. The study suggests that new coffee-based treatments should be developed for men with poor sperm movement - a defect that can cause fertility problems.The findings will be presented later this week at the annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in Texas.Brazilian researchers tested the sperm motility - the strength and endurance of sperm as they swim towards the egg during fertilisation - of 750 men awaiting vasectomy operations. Doctor Fabio Pasqualotto, the lead researcher, said: "Sperm motility was higher in patients who drink coffee compared to patients who do not drink coffee."The researchers also found that smoking had neither a beneficial nor an adverse effect on sperm motility compared with the caffeine effect.Doctor Euan Paul, spokesman for the Coffee Science Information Centre, said: "These findings are very exciting. There has been growing concern about sperm problems and about lack of fertility in particular." Doctor Paul said that since caffeine acted as a stimulant on dopamine cells in the brain, helping people to concentrate, there was a possibility that sperm also experienced a boost when a man drank caffeine.• New evidence that smoking cannabis can affect fertility, particularly in women, was also presented at the conference in San Antonio.Scientists from New York University examined the sperm of 22 men who admitted smoking cannabis at least four times a week for the past five years. They found that the sperm may not be capable of the hyperactivity needed to fertilise the egg and also reduced the number and volume of sperm in men.But women were found to be more seriously affected with toxins from the drug left in their reproductive tracts.Doctor Simon Fischel, who heads the CARE fertility unit at Park Hospital in Notting-ham, said: "[Women] have a fixed egg production, which means any damage may be difficult to overcome."He added: "With men, providing there isn't any damage to the stem cells responsible for sperm production, there may not be any lasting harm if they stop using the drug, because sperm is continually being made." http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=453150
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #18 posted by Sam Adams on October 13, 2003 at 14:58:55 PT
Reuters lies, again
Smoking Marijuana Lowers Fertility, Study Shows By Cyrille Cartier October 13, 2003I didn't see that conclusion anywhere in this study! To prove that, they would have to track a bunch of stoners trying to get their wife pregnant, and a bunch of non-smokers of the same age trying to their wife pregnant. Gee, I wonder why that study hasn't been done? Probably because it will show there's no difference.Plus, it's more fun to play in the lab with all the vials & stuff, makes you look important.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #17 posted by Marc Paquette on October 13, 2003 at 14:21:39 PT:
Sounds like a natural contraceptive :o)
Talking about solving the world's overpopulation? Hey..that sounds much more natural than contraceptive pills. Why would that be only a woman's responsibility? Side effects are not as potentially dangerous either. It's when they say it MAY cause this or that. Their MAY's is one of the things that makes marijuana illegal.Peace,Marc
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #16 posted by BigDawg on October 13, 2003 at 14:17:46 PT
Just another MAYBE....
This seems to be the prefered scientific method for prohibitionists.Do an inconclusive study (or in the case of the RAVE act an improper study) then scream "Look Look!"The problem is Joe Average doesn't look any further than the headlines... and the powers that be know this.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by mamawillie on October 13, 2003 at 13:15:19 PT
faster, than what?
Ummmm, how do they measure the speed of sperm? Do they have "sperm derbies" where there are tiny little lap lanes for them? 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by Jose Melendez on October 13, 2003 at 12:53:51 PT
doh!
" Guess what helps a couples' intimacy?"MDMA?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by MikeEEEEE on October 13, 2003 at 12:26:04 PT
Simple Logic
The simple true is, if we could live if all the toxic side effects of alcohol, we could live with cannabis. Alcohol is a lot more toxic to the body and mind.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by phil_debowl on October 13, 2003 at 12:03:55 PT
Science?
"The bottom line is, the active ingredients in marijuana are doing something to sperm, and the numbers are in the direction toward infertility," We don't know exactly what is happening to change sperm functioning," said Burkman, "but we THINK it is one of two things: THC MAY be causing improper timing of sperm function by direct stimulation, or it MAY be bypassing natural inhibition mechanisms.Nuff said, if this is science, we're in trouble.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 11:48:04 PT
darwin
They don't have eyes or ears! That made me laugh! Sometimes I need to laugh and that helped!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by goneposthole on October 13, 2003 at 11:41:42 PT
University at Buffalo
The name of the university is a dead giveaway.If a woman commits adultery, and afterward her husband makes love to her, her husband's sperm will encircle and kill an adulterer's sperm and prevent the adulterer's sperm from fertilizing the ovum. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by Treeanna on October 13, 2003 at 11:36:14 PT
How odd
Just the other day I was reading about the great push to develop contraceptives for men!!!Seems to me anything that reduces the birthrate in this grossly overpopulated world is good.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by Trekkie on October 13, 2003 at 11:33:38 PT
Another reason for MMJ!!!
My infertility problem is a little different. I have (and I hope I'm not sharing too much) an abnomally high sperm count. Somewhere around 6X normal. The little swimmers get caught in a "traffic jam," of sorts.So, could this be another use for MMJ? Thanks for the supprt, Dr. Burkman!!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by darwin on October 13, 2003 at 11:19:25 PT
Another paid schill
1) Medical users don't care about fertility!
2) This is not a new study.
http://www.buffalo.edu/reporter/vol30/vol30n15/n4.htmlSame woman, same BS. In her previous work, she stated 3 negative side affects. Now she is down to one. That sperm swim abnormally if you smoke pot. What the hell is that. Sperm always swim abnormally. They don't have eyes or ears. Millions of sperm are released like pollen in hopes that one runs into the egg. period. She's really pulling at straws to keep that government money coming. I'd like to see the actual research methods and statistical information.People told me I'd have trouble conceiving. My wife and I succeeded the FIRST time we tried, and have a healthy, happy little boy.What about the positive aspects on conceiving that they skip. A lot of people have trouble conceiving because of a lack of intamacy. Studies have shown that conception is much more successful when the woman and man climax at the same time, and a lot of people have trouble with the intimacy this requires. Guess what helps a couples' intimacy?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by Jose Melendez on October 13, 2003 at 11:08:43 PT
spin THIS!
If the sperm wiggled slower, they'd have blamed it on the pot. So, when the sperm move FASTER, they claim it's somehow worse?And what's up with the small sample size? Oops, that did not sound right. Why claim negative results if the study is (obviously) inconclusive?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Jose Melendez on October 13, 2003 at 10:53:43 PT
do a google search of the link to see cached 
formerly at:http://wings.buffalo.edu/smbs/frp/HTML/262.HTMLani J. Burkman, Ph.D. Preferred Address: 
Section on Andrology
Dept. Gyn/Ob
State University of New York at Buffalo
219 Bryant St.
Buffalo, NY 14222 
------------------------Preferred Phone:
716/878-7177 Preferred Fax:
716/878-7695 Preferred email:
lburkman acsu.buffalo.edu Affiliations: 
 Research Assistant Professor 
 Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics 
 Children's Hospital of Buffalo
219 Bryant St.
Buffalo, NY 14222Phone: (716) 898-4328
 Fax: (716) 888-3833 
 
Research Assistant Professor 
 Department of Urology 
 Buffalo General Hospital
100 High St.
Buffalo, NY 14203Phone: (716) 859-2212
 Fax: (716) 859-1888 
 
 Summary: My work has focused on general mammalian fertilization events, the biology of human sperm capacitation, development of functional assays to be used in human sperm clinical diagnostics, the impact of anandamide (endogenous, marijuana-like substance) on human sperm function, and human sperm motility as a tool for toxicity assessment.General mammalian fertilization: Pioneering work with the rabbit concerning capacitation of the sperm in vivo and modulation of the very vigorous swimming patterns (hyperactivation) by oviductal fluids. Past research also touched on in vitro fertilization models using the mouse, hamster and cynomologous monkey. We carried out some of the earliest trials involving micromanipulation (sperm injection) of mammalian oocytes to produce fertilization.Human sperm capacitation: In connection with the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic in the U.S. (Jones Institute, Norfolk, VA), my laboratory was the first to identify and demonstrate that human sperm hyperactivated swimming is required for fertilization. We have established the criteria necessarry for automatically identifying hyperactivated sperm by computer-tracking.Developing functional assays for clinical use: Our laboratory has developed and published the protocols for: a) assessing the incidence of hyperactivated swimming within motile sperm from the husbands of infertile couples (Modulation of fertilization events by anandamide: Mammals have a marijuana-like chemical -- a cannabinoid -- called anandamide in both the female and male reproductive tracts. We have established that anandamides significantly alter the timing of sperm acrosome reactions in vitro, as well as the modulation of hyperactivated swimming and sperm binding to the zona pellucida, and that a cannabinoid-binding receptor is present on human sperm. We continue to examine the apparent endogenous regulatory role which anandamides may have in controlling fertilization events. Publications:Schuel H, MC Chang, LJ Burkman, A Zimmerman, A Hill, RP Picone, A Makriyannis (1998). "Cannabinoid receptors in the sperm of sea urchin and humans and modulation of fertilization by cannabinoids," IN: Proceedings of the International Cannabinoid Research Society. March 20-21, 1998. NY, NY. In press.Burkman LJ (1996). New assays for evaluating human sperm function. IN Cambridge University Press, volume on Evaluation and Treatment of the Infertile Male, ed. Centola, GM and Ginsburg, KA, pp 108-129, Cambridge.Burkman LJ (1995). Motility of human spermatozoa during capacitation. IN Cambridge Reviews in Human Reproduction, volume on Gametes - the Spermatozoon, ed. Grudzinskas JG, Yovich JL, Simpson JL and Chard T., Cambridge, pp. 122-139.Oehninger S, Sueldo C, Lanzendorf S, Mahony M, Burkman LJ, Alexander NJ, Hodgen GD (1994). A sequential analysis of the effect of progesterone on specific sperm functions crucial to fertilization in vitro in infertile patients. Human Reproduction 9:1322-7.Sueldo CE, Oehninger S, Subias E, Mahony M, Alexander NJ, Burkman LJ, Acosta AA (1993). Effect of progesterone on human zona pellucida sperm binding and oocyte penetrating capacity. Fertil Steril 60:137-40.Shibahara H, Shigeta M, Koyama K, Burkman LJ, Alexander NJ and Isojima S (1991). Inhibition of sperm-zona pellucida tight binding by sperm immobilizing antibodies as assessed by the hemizona assay (HZA). Acta Obstetrica Et Gynaecologica Japonica 43(2):237-238.Burkman, LJ (l991). Discrimination between nonhyperactivated and classical hyperactivated motility patterns in human spermatozoa using computerized analysis, Fertil and Steril, 55:363-371. Coddington CC, DF Franken, LJ Burkman, WT Oosthuizen, T Kruger, and GD Hodgen (l991). Functional aspects of human sperm binding to the zona pellucida using the hemizona assay. J Andrology 12(1):1-8.Burkman LJ, Coddington CC, Franken DR, Kruger TF, Rosenwaks Z, Hodgen GD (l988). The Hemizona Assay (HZA): Development of a diagnostic test for the binding of human spermatozoa to human hemizona pellucida to predict fertilization potential. Fertil Steril 49:688-697.Burkman LJ (l988). A microperfusion chamber for study of mammalian spermatozoa, J Andrology 9(2):102-108. Keywords:
 mammalian fertilization
 human sperm capacitation
 andrology
 
 Updated: Wednesday, September 02, 1998 
 File created: Wednesday, September 09, 1998 Created by Jeff Embury For changes please contact Matt Smith
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Virgil on October 13, 2003 at 10:27:42 PT
Ignore it
When people like Dr. Russo cannot get valid studies to document and sharpen the focus of clinical cannabis, why did this study get funded? Because the USG does not want anything to result in a positive view that supports the concept that cannabis is a miracle plant.The guy that writes the artcile says UB this and UB that and never even says what UB is. I gather it is some Universtiy in Buffalo.The article is meaningless. The research is meaningless. The only thing it shows is the government wants negative reports and nothing real that can actually help people.Cannabis Prohibition is bunch of shit.Cannabis Prohibition is a train load of shit with the taxpayer paying for it and its freight.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 10:19:37 PT
Related Article from Reuters
Smoking Marijuana Lowers Fertility, Study Shows By Cyrille Cartier October 13, 2003WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sperm in men who smoke marijuana regularly lose stamina and burn out which may prevent conception, said a study released on Monday. 
  The study by the State University of New York in Buffalo, New York, is the first to focus on the swimming patterns of sperm in men who smoke marijuana, the authors say. "The sperm from marijuana smokers were moving too fast too early," said Lani Burkman, lead author of the study, in a statement. "To attach itself to the egg, the sperm has to swim like mad -- that's hyper activation -- and they have to be vigorous at the right time," Burkman said. "Smoking marijuana messes up the natural regulatory system." "The timing was all wrong. These sperm will experience burnout before they reach the egg and would not be capable of fertilization." The study, released at the annual conference of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in San Antonio, found that men who smoke marijuana have less sperm because of lower quantities of seminal fluid compared to fertile men. One of the ingredients of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the psychoactive chemical that causes people to feel "high." SWIMMING TOO FAST "We don't know exactly what is happening to change sperm functioning," said Burkman, "but we think it is one of two things: THC may be causing improper timing of sperm function by direct stimulation, or it may be bypassing natural inhibition mechanisms. Whatever the cause, the sperm are swimming too fast too early." The speed, volume, shape, density, movement and count of sperm were studied in both men whose sperm is fertile and marijuana smokers. A previous study found that the enzyme cap of human sperm changed when exposed to high levels of THC. As a result, the sperm has a harder time attaching to the egg before fertilization. Even if people stop smoking marijuana, THC gets stored in the body fat and may take several months before leaving the body, Burkman said. "I definitely would advise anyone trying to conceive not to smoke marijuana, and that would include women as well as men," Burkman said. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by TroutMask on October 13, 2003 at 10:19:32 PT
If only
All it says to me is that if you have trouble getting a woman pregnant, then pot probably won't help.As for helping with birth control, I guess smoking pot all the time is very slightly better than using no birth control at all. And if a means of birth control is that unreliable, it is no longer birth control IMO.-TM
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 13, 2003 at 10:07:00 PT
What Does This Mean?
Maybe it helps with birth control then if this is true. I don't know.
[ Post Comment ]




  Post Comment