Marijuana hits fertility

WASHINGTON - Sperm in men who smoke marijuana regularly lose stamina and burn out which may prevent conception.

A State University of New York in Buffalo study is the first to focus on the swimming patterns of sperm in men who smoke marijuana.

"The sperm from marijuana smokers were moving too fast too early," said Professor Lani Burkman, lead author of the study.

"To attach itself to the egg, the sperm has to swim like mad - that's hyper activation - and they have to be vigorous at the right time."

"Smoking marijuana messes up the natural regulatory system.

"The timing was all wrong. These sperm will experience burnout before they reach the egg and would not be capable of fertilisation," Professor Burkman said.

The study, released at the annual conference of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in San Antonio, also found that men who smoke marijuana have less sperm.

"I definitely would advise anyone trying to conceive not to smoke marijuana, and that would include women as well as men," Professor Burkman said.

- REUTERS