Pubdate: Wed, 13 Dec 2000
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2000 Cox Interactive Media.
Contact: Journal:   Constitution:  http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
Forum: http://www.accessatlanta.com/community/forums/
Author: Ulysses Torassa - San Francisco Chronicle

STUDY: MARIJUANA USE MAY HURT CHANCES OF CONCEPTION

In a finding that could send shivers down the spines of pot-smoking couples 
hoping to conceive, new research is raising the possibility that marijuana 
could interfere with reproduction.

New studies show that a cannabis-like compound inhibits the ability of 
human sperm to fertilize an egg. Also, high concentrations of THC --- the 
psychoactive ingredient in marijuana --- appear to cause structural changes 
in sperm as they become ready and able to reach and fuse with a woman's egg.

While pot smoking may not yet qualify as a contraceptive, the findings 
presented Tuesday at the American Society for Cell Biology meeting in San 
Francisco are some of the first indications that marijuana use could reduce 
fertility in both men and women.

Previous research has shown a link between heavy pot smoking and low sperm 
counts. The latest study focuses on a substance called anandamide that is 
produced by the body and which acts very much like THC on a cellular level.

It is one of a class of substances called cannabinoids that bind to 
receptors on cells that also respond to THC. Cannabinoids are found 
throughout the body and their affect on various systems is only now being 
studied.

In a series of experiments, researchers at the University of Buffalo-SUNY 
found that a synthetic form of anandamide reduced by half the number of 
sperm that were able to attach to a human egg. Furthermore, high 
concentrations of anandamide slowed down sperm's swimming ability, while 
low levels kicked it into overdrive.

The researchers also bathed human sperm in solutions containing either THC 
or anandamide and found that both substances significantly altered the 
normal structural changes sperm go through as they prepare to approach and 
bind with an egg.

''For people who are very heavy marijuana users, there may be reproductive 
consequences associated with that,'' said Herbert Schuel, a professor of 
anatomy and cell biology at the University of Buffalo and lead author of 
the study.

More generally, Schuel said, it is possible that glitches in the normal 
anandamide system could be linked to some cases of unexplained infertility.
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