Effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, on human sperm function in vitro

Whan, Lynne; West, Mhairi C L; McClure, Neil; Lewis, Sheena

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.08.027

Cited by 106 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 64 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…CB1 receptor activation prevents the acrosome reaction from occurring [47,67,75]. Similar inhibitory findings were observed for both the spontaneous and induced AR after in vitro treatment of spermatozoa with either therapeutic or recreational concentrations of THC [108].…”

Section: Effect On Sperm Parameters and Functionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…Several other in vitro studies on human spermatozoa are in agreement with these findings [46,47,64,107]. Whan et al [108] exposed human spermatozoa to both therapeutic and recreational levels of THC and showed clearly that it reduced the percentage of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa, while the kinematic parameters such as straight line velocity and average path velocity were also decreased. These observations are supported by both in vitro [111] and in vivo animal studies [102] where it is clearly shown that THC attenuates sperm motility and viability.…”

Section: Effect On Sperm Parameters and Functionsupporting

confidence: 65%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Marijuana, phytocannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and male fertility

Plessis

Agarwal

Syriac

2015

J Assist Reprod Genet

120

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Marijuana has the highest consumption rate among all of the illicit drugs used in the USA, and its popularity as both a recreational and medicinal drug is increasing especially among men of reproductive age. Male factor infertility is on the increase, and the exposure to the cannabinoid compounds released by marijuana could be a contributing cause. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is deeply involved in the complex regulation of male reproduction through the endogenous release of endocannabinoids and binding to cannabinoid receptors. Disturbing the delicate balance of the ECS due to marijuana use can negatively impact reproductive potential. Various in vivo and in vitro studies have reported on the empirical role that marijuana plays in disrupting the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, spermatogenesis, and sperm function such as motility, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. In this review, we highlight the latest evidence regarding the effect of marijuana use on male fertility and also provide a detailed insight into the ECS and its significance in the male reproductive system.

show abstract

Section: Effect On Sperm Parameters and Functionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Effect On Sperm Parameters and Functionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Marijuana, phytocannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system, and male fertility

Plessis

Agarwal

Syriac

2015

J Assist Reprod Genet

120

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To this respect, Rossato et al [19] have shown that AEA induced a dose-dependent decrease of the sperm mitochondrial activity that paralleled the reduction of sperm motility without affecting viability and Whan et al [20] have shown that Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol reduce human sperm motility. These studies are consistent with our results and our findings are consistent with these studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the inhibitory effects of endocannabinoids on sperm capacitation, available substantially homogeneous data indicate that CB1 activation reduces sperm ability to undergo acrosome reaction both in vertebrate and invertebrates [19,20,[31][32][33] . More importantly, endocannabinoids do not affect fertility of eggs; this shows that these effects are directed just to sperm [31,32] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, other researchers have revealed that stimulation of vanilloid type 1 receptors (a nonselective cationic channel that belongs to the vanilloidtype transient receptor potential family), in the sperm membrane has been effective in preventing the acrosome reaction [16,17] . However, the endocannabinoids, by effect on their sperm receptors, lead to sperm remains in non-capacitated situation until they enter the female reproductive tract; concurrent with the reduction in sperm concentration endocannabinoids, and when the sperm reaches to oocyte and binds to the zona pellucida, sperm capacitation occurred [18][19][20] . Exactly, it prevents inappropriate capacitation and acrosome reaction, and then increases the chance of the sperm reaching to the egg.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Met-Anandamidin Koç Spermasının Dondurulmasında Hiperaktivasyon, Kryo-Kapasitasyon ve Akrozom Reaksiyonunun Önlenmesi Üzerine Etkisi

Talebiyan¹,

Amidi²,

Samini³

et al. 2015

Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cryopreserved spermatozoon has some defects on membrane causing hyper activation, cryo-capacitation and timeless (early) acrosome reaction that lead to low fertility. While low fertility is generally accepted as a consequence of cryopreservation of sperm cells, a lot of studies are being carried out on cryopreservation techniques to improve spermatozoon membrane integrity and also viability. Some studies point out that using materials such as Cannabinoids can be effective in achieving this aim. The main effects of endocannabinoids on spermatozoa are the inhibition of motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of soluted Met-anandamide in extender on post thawing sperm motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction in ram semen cryopreservation. For this aim, ten ejaculated collected from five mature Bakhtiari rams were diluted with extender containing Met-anandamide, equilibrated and then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen vapour (approximately −125 to −130°C). Cryopreserved semen samples were preserved in liquid nitrogen until evaluation. Post thawing sperm analyses revealed that the Cannabinoids agonists affected the motility of ram sperm after thawing (P<0.05), resulting in an increase in the AEA (arachidonoylethanolamide) concentration (10, 100 and 1000 nM) which significantly reduced sperm motility. subsequent freezing and thawing. On the other hand, the degrading enzyme of endocannabinoid FAAH may have had a reduction effect on sperm motility and increased capacitation and early acrosome reaction (P<0.05). In conclusion, endocannabinoid system may be used to improve ram sperm freezing. Keywords: Ram, Sperm, Cryopreservation, Met-anandamide, FAAH, Capacitation Met-Anandamidin Koç Spermasının Dondurulmasında Hiperaktivasyon, Kryo-Kapasitasyon ve Akrozom Reaksiyonunun Önlenmesi Üzerine EtkisiÖzet Dondurulmuş spermatazoon membranında oluşan bazı hasarlar hiperaktivasyona, kryo-kapasitasyona ve zamansız (erken) akrozom reaksiyonuna neden olarak düşük fertiliteye yol açabilmektedir. Genel olarak; düşük fertilitenin sperm hücrelerinin dondurulmasının bir sonucu olarak oluştuğu kabul edilirken, spermatazoon membran bütünlüğünü sağlama ve aynı zamanda canlılığını artırmaya yönelik dondurma teknikleri üzerinde pek çok yeni çalışma yapılmaktadır. Bu amaçla, bazı araştırmalar Cannabinoid gibi maddelerin kullanımının etkili olabileceğini göstermektedir. Endocannabinoidlerin spermatozoa üzerine asıl etkisi motiliteyi inhibe etmesi, kapasitasyon ve akrozom reaksiyonudur. Sunulan çalışmanın amacı, koç semen dondurulmasında Met-anandamid solüsyonu içeren sulandırıcıyla sulandırmanın çözünme sonrası sperm motilitesi, kapasitasyonu ve akrozom reaksiyonu üzerine etkisini araştırmaktır. Bu amaçla, 5 adet ergin Bakhtiari koçundan elde edilen 10 ejekulat Met-anandamid içeren sulandırıcı ile sulandırılarak, ekilibre edilmesinin ardından sıvı azot buharında (yaklaşık −125 ila −130°C) donduruldu. Dondurulmuş sperma örnekleri değerlendirilenceye kadar sıvı azot içerisinde muha...

show abstract