The effect of marijuana on fertility

Introduction: Marijuana, popularly known as weed, weed, or flower, is a psychoactive substance that is used for recreational or therapeutic purposes. Marijuana is obtained from the leaves and flowers of the horse chestnut plant, and like all the products of the horse chestnut plant, tetrahydrocannabinol is the effective compound and the main cause of its euphoric effects, which is only one of the hundreds of known compounds of the cannabis plant. Marijuana is one of the most common stimulants and addictive substances, which is made from the flower, as well as the leaves and seeds of the cannabis sativa plant and can be seen in green, brown, gray or a combination of them. These items, which are part of a family of psychoactive substances, are called "cannabis". They change the way the brain works and at the very beginning they affect the addict's nerves and psyche and make him psychologically dependent on that substance. These stimulants can have immediate and long-term effects on the brain and other body parts. Marijuana has the highest rate of use of any illegal drug used in the United States; And it has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years due to its psychoactive effects, including euphoria, sedation, and analgesia. The most common term used in our country for marijuana is hashish. The effect of different types of marijuana on the user depends on the amount of this substance. The strongest type of compounds in this family is hashish oil. As the prevalence of marijuana use among people of reproductive age is increasing, the need to understand the effects of marijuana on human physiology is becoming increasingly urgent. While marijuana is known for its psychoactive effects and its uses in pain control and nausea, little is known about its effects on reproduction.Method: The current review by searching in reliable books and useful databases such as Scopus, Elsevier, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Mag Iran, Iran Dog, Iran Medex in the years ۲۰۱۰ to ۲۰۲۳ with keywords such as infertility, marijuana, cannabis was doneFindings: Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, which has extensive effects on several hormonal systems through central cannabinoid receptors. A suppressive effect is seen on reproductive hormones, prolactin, growth hormone, and the thyroid axis, while the HPA axis is activated. These effects are mediated through the CB۱ receptor. The CB۱ receptor is present in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, as well as in reproductive tissues including the ovary and endometrium. THC indirectly reduces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion by the hypothalamus in a dose-dependent manner, the consequences of which are diverse and several key hormones are affected. THC disrupts important reproductive events such as folliculogenesis, ovulation, and sperm maturation and function. As GnRH decreases, in addition to plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, prolactin levels decrease. As a result, cannabis users are more likely to experience menstrual disturbances.Additionally, animal studies have shown that chronic cannabis use delays sexual maturation and that THC-exposed endometrial stromal cells are unable to differentiate. Much evidence suggests that the effects of cannabis on reproductive performance are, at least in part, due to disturbances in the ECS. Sex steroid hormones and ECBs are closely related, and in uterine tissues, estradiol and ECS may regulate each other's activities. During the menstrual cycle, there is also a dynamic change in AEA plasma levels. The activity of ECB metabolic enzymes is crucial for regulating ECB levels and plays a role in reproductive success. Thus, when disrupted by exogenous cannabinoids, increased ECBs signaling may lead to reproductive failure. In addition, AEA can inhibit blastocyst attachment and growth in mice. Overall, there is evidence that abnormal synthesis of AEA in the ovary or uterus may be a determinant factor for female infertility or early pregnancy failure. In addition, activation and overexpressionCannabinoid receptors, especially CB۱, may be involved in the pathophysiology of reproductive disorders. CB۱ activation appears to be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through dysregulation of energy metabolism. In turn, endometriotic lesions and ectopic endometrium from adenomyosis patients express less CB۱ and CB۲. Although the involvement of ECS in these pathologies needs further clarification, it clearly shows that theimportance of ECBs for reproductive function goes far beyond the HPG axis. In the same line of evidence, AEA inhibits aromatase activity and affects estradiol signaling, suggesting that ECS disturbances may play a role in endometrial disease and infertility. Increased uterine endocannabinoid and CB۱ receptor levels are associated with failed implantation.Another possible mechanism by which dysregulated ECS signaling leads to pregnancy failure. Antagonism of CB۱ receptors in mice resulted in higher rates of fetal retention in the fallopian tube, an event similar to ectopic pregnancy in humans. These findings were partially confirmed in human studies of abortion, and evaluation of the placentas of women who had spontaneous abortions showed higher expression of CB۱ receptors as well as lower concentrations of the FAAH enzyme compared to controls who underwent elective abortions. It has been shown to break down endocannabinoids. Increased AEA and decreased FAAH levels were also associated with failure to achieve persistent pregnancy in women undergoing IVF. Maternal cannabinoid dysregulation may lead to abnormal reproductive function in female offspring. Also, many studies associate marijuana use by the mother with stillbirth, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, and child psychosis. In men who use marijuana, the rate of testicular cancer is twice that of other men. One of the reasons for the increase in the incidence of testicular cancer in different societies is the widespread use of marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol reduces the production of testosterone by the testicles, and it is this disorder of testosterone production that makes men who consume marijuana susceptible to testicular cancer. The primary treatment for testicular cancer is the removal of the same testicle, which is usually followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which severely damages the ability to produce sperm in the other side's testicle and sometimes makes it zero, and these men become absolutely infertile. New research has shown that women who use marijuana have a lower chance of getting pregnant compared to others. In this study, scientists found that among women trying to get pregnant, the chance of pregnancy during their menstrual cycle who used marijuana or had a positive urine test (drug test) was ۴۰ percent higher than among women who did not use marijuana. Lower. Also, marijuana users have different levels of the main reproductive hormones, which reduces their chances of getting pregnant.Conclusion: Despite the different effects of marijuana compounds on the factors involved in fertility, it can be concluded that marijuana can reduce fertility and infertility. Men who use marijuana have their fertility damaged in several different ways. People who regularly use marijuana have significantly lower semen and sperm count. Also, their sperm are destroyed before the egg arrives. Marijuana consumption reduces the number of sperm and more importantly, it reduces the movement of sperm. Marijuana consumption reduces the number of normal sperm.

کلیدواژه ها:

Fertility ، infertility ، marijuana