Cannabis use, even daily consumption, does not appear to affect sperm quality, according to new research published in the journal Andrology by Boston University researchers.
Researchers analysed 1,654 semen samples from 921 men for multiple variables including semen volume, sperm count, concentration, motility, and total motile sperm count.
Acknowledging the rise in popularity of cannabis over recent decades, especially in reproductive-aged men, researchers aimed to build on previous research that has produced inconclusive results.
23% of the total participants reported current cannabis use, with 3.3% reporting that they used cannabis daily. The remaining participants were non-users.
The research was conducted as part of the Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a North American preconception cohort study.
“We used linear regression to estimate percent differences in mean semen parameter values (%D) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between cannabis use and semen volume (mL), total sperm count (TSC, million), sperm concentration (million/mL), motility (%), and total motile sperm count (TMSC, million), controlling for potential confounders,” the study said.
When comparing sperm sample results between the two groups of participants, researchers found no significant differences in any of the variables tested for.
Previous studies exploring the role cannabis consumption can play in affecting sperm health have produced conflicting results. However, this study from Harvard researchers in 2019 found that cannabis use might not affect semen health negatively, and may in fact increase sperm count.
