Depression of Plasma Testosterone Levels after Chronic Intensive Marihuana Use

Marijuana, phytocannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and male fertility

“…In a case control study conducted on males (18 to 26 years) who used marijuana for a minimum of 4 days a week for at least a period of 6 months without the use of other drugs, it was reported that there was a statistically significant drop in testosterone levels. The findings were similar after chronic and acute exposure [85]. However, another study conducted on 66 males showed that neither chronic nor acute intake of marijuana had a significant effect on plasma testosterone levels [92].…”

“…In general, it is believed that marijuana consumption decreases LH levels [83][84][85]. These findings are supported by a study conducted by Wenger and colleagues who injected THC into the third cerebral ventricle of male rats.…”

“…Kolodny et al [85] reported no change in testicular size and texture in chronic marijuana users. However, a number of animal studies have reported direct effects on various reproductive organs.…”

“…A decrease in sperm concentration has been reported in both humans [85,87,105] and animals [102] after regular exposure to cannabis. It also appears that sperm counts are inversely proportional to the amount of drug taken [85].…”

“…Thus far, only a single study has reported that chronic marijuana use decreased FSH levels, but this was exclusively found in high consumption users [85]. However, FSH has an important influence on the ECS as it increases FAAH (enzyme which degrades AEA) expression through different pathways in Sertoli cells.…”