Pot-Like Agents May Affect Fertility

San Francisco, CA -- In news every wanna-be father should hear, scientists today announced finding evidence that marijuana-like agents may regulate the functions of sperm and affect their ability to fertilize eggs.

The investigators from the University at Buffalo in New York have been focusing on compounds called anandamides, which are normally found in the testis, uterus and oviduct.

Specifically, they have found sperm contain receptors for cannabinoids, which are such chemical compounds as THC, the active substance in pot.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cell Biology in San Francisco, the researchers described their study as the first to show that such chemicals can affect fertilization in three major ways:

-They can inhibit the so-called acrosome reaction. That's the normal release of the enzymes, which enables sperm to penetrate the egg.

-They regulate very active sperm swimming patterns, called hyperactivation.

-They prevent sperm from binding to the egg cover, or zona.

``The findings could have significant implications for the diagnosis of infertility and understanding basic human biology and molecular control, '' said Herbert Schuel, professor of anatomy and cell biology at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

``We've known for 30 years that very heavy marijuana smoking has a drastic effect on sperm production within the testis, which can lead to higher rates of infertility. Our new findings suggest anandamides and THC in marijuana smoke may also affect sperm functions required for fertilization in the female reproductive tract.''

In heavy pot smokers, the extra load of cannabinoids floods the receptors, possibly leading to infertility.

Schuel and his team previously showed that sea urchin sperm have a receptor for cannabinoids, that cannabinoids and anandamides can prevent the sperm from fertilizing eggs and that elimination of the cannabinoids reversed these effects.

Two other study co-authors in the latest investigation - Lani Burkman, director of the Andrology Section at Buffalo and Alex Makriyannis, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Connecticut - said human sperm contain functional cannabinoid receptors.

These receptors, or recognition sites, allow the THC from pot and natural cannabinoids (anandamides) to bind to sperm.

In 30 tests, the researchers mimicked the normal reproduction process. In the process, fluids within the female reproductive tract prepare the sperm to fertilize the egg. The egg swims like mad. It undergoes the acrosome reaction when the sperm arrive at the egg's zona.

The finding indicates anandamides may prevent premature acrosome reactions within the female reproductive tract. And it suggests fluctuations in anandamide levels in the oviduct may regulate sperm swimming patterns and affect the optimal timing for the sperm to meet the egg.

``The study provided the first evidence that anandamides and cannabinoids can directly affect the fertilizing capacity of human sperm,'' Burkman said.

Copyright 1998 United Press International

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