Marijuana effects: Pot can lower sperm count, study finds

Frequent marijuana use may affect the amount of sperm men produce, or sperm concentration, discovers a Danish study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Over 1,000 Danish men ages 18 to 28 participated in the study. The volunteers were asked a series of questions regarding drug use and other lifestyle habits, such as drinking or smoking cigarettes.

The Danish researchers discovered that smoking pot once a week or more reduced men's sperm counts by 29 percent, compared to men who smoked weed less frequently, reports Live Science.

In addition, the sperm concentration in men who used pot more often was 28 percent lower than the men who used the drug less frequently or did not smoke pot at all.

The rate of reductions was even more striking when compared to men, who did not smoke weed at all. The sperm count of frequent users reduced by 55 percent, while there was a decrease of 52 percent seen in sperm concentration.

Live Science explains that sperm concentration and sperm count are differently measured. According to Medical Dictionary, sperm count probably refers to the total amount of sperm a man produces. Whereas, sperm concentration most likely refers to the amount of sperm found in semen.

The Danish scientists also found a correlation between men who frequently used pot and other drugs, which included cocaine and ecstasy, states USA Today.

Live Science adds that men who smoked week within the past three months, from the time of the study, also smoked cigarettes more. Furthermore, frequent users also drank more alcohol and caffeine.

The researchers concluded that high concentration of THC, the main ingredient of marijuana, interacting with receptors of the testes might be responsible for the decrease in sperm count and concentration, states Newser.

However, they did not fail to take into account that an overall unhealthy lifestyle could also lead to a reduction in sperm count and concentration.

"We cannot exclude the possibility that the men who used marijuana generally have unhealthier lifestyle and health behavior, which may also affect their semen quality and hormone levels," stated the Danish researchers.

Another study published in the medical journal Human Reproduction found that marijuana use could also alter the DNA make-up of sperm, affecting a man's fertility.

Dr. Alan Pacy, lead researcher of the study, explained to Fox News:

"When sperm are made, the DNA they maintain has to be packaged in the head very tightly... So the cannabis is maybe interrupting that DNA folding."