Men with poor sperm quality had lower levels of endocannabinoid-related molecules in their semen, and adding these molecules to sperm in the lab improved motility, raising concerns about cannabis disrupting male fertility.
Read this if you want to understand how the endocannabinoid system relates to male fertility.
Low PEA and OEA in semen correlated with poor sperm quality
What the researchers found
Researchers measured levels of two endocannabinoid-related molecules, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA), in seminal plasma from 90 men attending an infertility clinic. Men with poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) and those with multiple sperm quality problems (oligoasthenoteratozoospermia) had significantly lower PEA and OEA concentrations compared to men with normal semen parameters.
When PEA and OEA were added to normal sperm samples in the lab, they rapidly and significantly improved sperm motility and maintained viability without affecting mitochondrial activity.
The authors noted that plant cannabinoids like THC and CBD could compete with these endocannabinoid-related molecules, potentially disrupting the finely tuned system that supports normal sperm function.
Why it matters
The endocannabinoid system plays regulatory roles throughout the reproductive system. This study identified specific endocannabinoid-related molecules as potentially important for maintaining normal sperm function, with implications for understanding how cannabis use might affect male fertility.
The numbers in context
90 men were studied. PEA and OEA levels were significantly lower in men with asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Both PEA and OEA rapidly improved sperm motility in vitro.
How the study worked
PEA and OEA were extracted from seminal plasma of 90 men attending an infertility clinic and quantified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Sperm from men with normal parameters were exposed to PEA or OEA in vitro to assess effects on motility, viability, and mitochondrial activity.
What this study cannot tell us
Observational design cannot establish whether low PEA/OEA caused poor sperm quality or resulted from the same underlying condition. The study did not directly test cannabis exposure. In vitro effects on sperm may not reflect in vivo conditions. The infertility clinic sample may not represent the general population.
How to read the evidence
Observational study with in vitro validation at a single fertility clinic. Interesting but cannot establish causation.
When this study was published
Published in 2014.
The bigger picture
If exogenous cannabinoids from cannabis compete with endogenous lipid signaling molecules that support sperm function, this provides a mechanistic explanation for epidemiological observations linking cannabis use to reduced sperm quality. The reproductive endocannabinoid system appears to require precise balance.
Questions still open
- Does cannabis use actually lower PEA and OEA levels in seminal plasma? Would PEA or OEA supplementation improve fertility outcomes? How long after cannabis cessation do seminal endocannabinoid levels normalize?
Common questions
Can cannabis affect sperm quality?
What are PEA and OEA?
Read the original research
Relationship between seminal plasma levels of anandamide congeners palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide and semen quality.
Fertility and sterility, 102(5), 1260-7
Citation
Amoako, Akwasi Atakora; Marczylo, Timothy Hywel; Elson, Janine; Taylor, Anthony Henry; Willets, Jonathon M; Konje, Justin Chi. (2014). Relationship between seminal plasma levels of anandamide congeners palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide and semen quality.. Fertility and sterility, 102(5), 1260-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.07.767
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