It is a fact that marijuana is, along with hashish, the most consumed drug in the worldeither for one use recreational or medicinal. This fact has contributed legalization of the substance, specially in USAwhere in most states it is lawful take that drug. Its adverse effects include disorientationa worsening of the reactionan increase of heart rate, Difficulty thinking… and maybe now the one of the infertility.
In fact, a study published in the scientific medium ‘fertility and sterility’ in January 2022 by various researchers from the state of Oregon (USA) has revealed that marijuana use has direct effects in it male reproductive system.
As indicated by the same investigation, it is estimated that in 2015, In a period of about a year, the 36% of young Americans ages 18-25 consumed this substance, which translates into 7.4 million people. Due to the inconsistency of studies conducted on the effects of marijuana on male infertility and the growing marijuana useespecially among young people, this research decides to shed some light on this aspect.
a precise method
To conduct the research, the scientists used monkeys of the species ‘rhesus’ in a «sexually mature» age 8 to 10 years, weighing up to 12.7 kg and with previous paternity. The researchers chose this species because its properties and characteristics They are very similar to that of humans.
The animals were supplied daily by the tomorrow a cookie that contained ‘delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol’ (THC), he principal ingredient marijuana active. The dose of this substance in the biscuit is was increasing during the investigation every 70 days for a period of approximately seven months.
to compare the data at the end of the study, before starting the process collected semen from animals until is three times on different days and subsequently, it was done every 70 days (every time the dose of the active principle of marijuana was increased).
The samples were preserved in suitable places. In addition, it is also measured testicular volumewere analyzed scrotum of the animals, the spermThey were collected blood samples Yeah measured testosterone and other hormones.
Once all the samples were collected and the experimentation process finished, a statistical analysis of the tests was carried out with diagrams showing all the changes.
final results
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In the study it is observed that the animals significantly gained weight, since as the dose supplied increased, so did the kilos. Furthermore, the research reveals another startling fact: the average total bilateral testicular volume of macaques required by 58%. That is, the size of the testicles will be produced. As for the semen, there were no significant changes in any of its characteristics, including the sperm count or sperm mortalityalthough there was a significant impact on male reproductive hormones with a decreased testosterone.
Finally, the study ends by expressing the need for more studies to know what the impact would be in the case of a higher exposure and to determine if the changes that are observed are reversible or permanent.