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Using cannabis vapor is found to lower sperm count and the speed in which they move male users and their sons, a new study finds.
Researchers at Washington State University conducted the study with mice: Some were exposed to cannabis vapor three times a day for 10 consecutive days, while the rest were not, and then sperm counts between the two groups were compared.
The team found that immediately after the exposure period, the mice's sperm motility decreased, and after one month, sperm counts were lower.
Male offspring of the mice exposed to cannabis vapor were also found with a lowered sperm count and motility, along signs of with DNA damage - even though the sons did not inhale the drug.
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Researchers have revealed that cannabis has a relaxing effect on sperm leaving it 'mellow' and potentially cutting counts of the cells by a third
Kanako Hayashi, who is an associate professor in WSU's School of Molecular Biosciences and the paper's corresponding author, said in a statement: 'This is a warning flag. You may take cannabis for some kind of momentary stress, but it could affect your offspring.'
A total of 30 mice were used in this study – 15 were exposed to cannabis vape and 15 were not.
After determining how the mice's sperm was impacted the team then bred several of those exposed to cannabis vapor with unexposed females.
Not only did the male offspring show the same lower sperm counts and motility, but there was also evidence of DNA damage and disruption related to sperm cell development.
The team found that immediately after the exposure period, the mice's sperm motility decreased, and after one month, sperm counts were lower. Male offspring of the mice exposed to cannabis vapor were also found with a lowered sperm count and motility
'We were not expecting that the sperm would be completely gone or that motility would be completely offset, but the reduction in sperm count and motility of the offspring, the sons, is probably a direct effect of the cannabis exposure to father,' said Kanako.
A third-generation, the grandsons of the exposed male mice, did not show the same impacts, however, which suggests that the cannabis exposure impacted the second-generation mice at a developmental stage.
Not only does cannabis use slow down sperm, but a study in 2017 found it makes them 'swim in circles.'
Another study from the University of South Australia found that there are differences between the way marijuana users and non-users walk.
Those who smoke the drug tend to have stiffer shoulders, more flexible elbows and quicker knees - which move
