Marijuana and Health (1982) / Chapter Skim
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EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA ON OTHER BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA ON OTHER BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Pages 94-111
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From page 94... ...
. Plasma testosterone levels in subjects smoking five to nine marijuana cigarettes per week were significantly lower than controls (however, only 2 had levels out of the normal range, i.e., below 400 ng/dl)
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From page 95... ...
Later in l974, another study reported that plasma testosterone levels were not suppressed in 27 men studied in a research ward (Mendelson et al., l974) These individuals smoked marijuana cigarettes supplied by the federal government.
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From page 96... ...
They smoked an average of five marijuana cigarettes per day, which was believed to be the equivalent of l03 mg of A-9-THC. During acute administration, mean levels of plasma testosterone declined from 754 to 533 ng/dl over a 3-hour period.
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From page 97... ...
The work in rhesus monkeys is of particular importance, because of the similarity in the menstrual cycle among primate species, including human beings. Human Studies There is only one study reported on the effects of marijuana on reproductive function in women.
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From page 98... ...
The number of cycles studied for each variable investigated is not clear from the publications. This difficulty notwithstanding, the report reveals no difference in plasma levels of LH and FSH between the two groups and no change in peaks and basal values of the female hormones estradiol or progesterone, the critical hormone levels controlling the process of ovulation.
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From page 99... ...
Administration of A-9-THC to rhesus monkeys during the follicular phase resulted in prolonged periods of amennorhea (absence or abnormal stoppage of the menstrual flow) , absence of midcycle LH surge, and progesterone levels characteristic of anovulation (Asch et al., l98l)
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From page 100... ...
the scientific evidence that marijuana smoke and tar are mutagenic has been discussed. Lung explants of mice and human fibroblast cultures exposed to fresh smoke showed abnormalities of cell division, as well as changes in chromosome structure and in DNA synthesis (Leuchtenberger and Leuchtenberger, l97l; Leuchtenberger, et al., l973a,b)
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From page 101... ...
Does marijuana cause chromosome breaks? The weight of the evidence from in vitro cultures of human cells and from in vivo animal and human studies is that neither marijuana nor A-9-THC causes chromosome breaks.
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From page 102... ...
. Human Studies Studies of lymphocytes cultured from human marijuana smokers defined either as "moderate" users (at least one marijuana cigarette per week, range l-l0 for a minimum of two years)
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From page 103... ...
Studies of various aspects of the immune system in persons who were chronic users of marijuana have indicated mild decreases in activity of one or another component of the system; however, other investigators have noted no changes outside of the normal range (Gupta et al., l974; Petersen et al., l975, l976; White et al., l975; Lau et al., l976; Rachelefsky et al., l976; Silverstein and Lessin, l976; Cushman and Khurana, l977; McDonough et al., l980)
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From page 104... ...
Cannabis appears to interfere with temperature regulation, but the clinical significance is unknown. SUMMARY Male Reproductive Function In animals, marijuana and its derivatives can acutely lower gonadotropic secretion when administered intraperitoneally.
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From page 105... ...
Furthermore, marijuana may affect chromosome segregation during cell division, resulting in abnormal numbers of chromosomes in daughter cells. While these conflicting results are worrisome, their clinical significance is not known.
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From page 106... ...
In women, the principal need is for more data on endocrine and menstrual patterns in users versus nonusers, with particular attention to the length of cycles, the presence or absence of ovulation, and the existence or absence of subfertility. More studies are needed to detect subtle, low-frequency, or cumulative effects on reproductive function in long-term, heavy users.
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From page 107... ...
The effect of chronically administered cannabis extract on the female genital tract of mice and rats. Endokrinologie 66:365-368, l975.
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From page 108... ...
Hembree, W.C., Nahas, G.G., Zeidenberg, P., and Huang, H.F.S. Changes in human spermatozoa associated with high dose marihuana smoking, pp.
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From page 109... ...
Plasma testosterone levels before, during and after chronic marihuana smoking.
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From page 110... ...
Alterations in the cellular-mediated immune responsiveness of chronic marihuana smokers. Psychopharmacol.
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From page 111... ...
A-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol suppression of episodic luteinizing hormone secretion in the ovariectomized rat. Endocrinology l02:l808-l8l4, l978.
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