The effects of tobacco and cannabis use on semen and endocrine parameters in infertile males

Abstract

Substances such as tobacco and cannabis can negatively modulate seminal parameters and sex hormones and lead to fertility problems in males. The present study aimed to determine the effect of cigarettes, dipping tobacco, and cannabis on semen parameters and sex hormones in infertile males. A total of 160 infertile healthy participants (cigarette smokers n = 40, dipping tobacco users n = 40, cannabis users n = 40 and infertile controls n = 40) were included in the study. Fasting blood samples were collected from all the participants using the aseptic technique, and semen samples were collected by masturbation following sexual abstinence of 2–7 days. The levels of serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined using ELISA. The serum level of FSH was significantly higher in cannabis users relative to the control group (p = 0.043). A mild non-significant decrease in sperm count, serum LH and testosterone levels were observed in all drug users compared to controls. In conclusion, chronic use of tobacco and cannabis mildly modulates semen and hormonal parameters in infertile males.

Keywords:

• Infertility
• tobacco
• marijuana
• sex hormones
• semen

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mr. Safi-ur-Rehman for providing technical assistance in laboratory equipment. We are grateful to the Glaswegian proof-reading services at University of Glasgow, UK. We are very grateful to our study participants for their cooperation.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

The present study was funded by the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) of Khyber Medical University.