Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30916627›Full record

SynthesisThe Journal of urology2019

Cannabis and Male Fertility: A Systematic Review.

Kelly S Payne, Daniel J Mazur, James M Hotaling, Alexander W Pastuszak

Open access · bronzeAbstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Journal of urology, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 54 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
54citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
12.0field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

54 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 130 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Guideline
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Review
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. FIGO position statement: Gamete donations.International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2025
    Article
  13. Male aging in germ cells: What are we inheriting?Genetics and molecular biology · 2025
    Article
  14. Article
  15. Review
  16. Etiology of Male Infertility: an Update.Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) · 2024
    Review
  17. Review
  18. Review
  19. Adverse Impact of Cannabis on Human Health.Annual review of medicine · 2024
    Review
  20. Young Adults' Understanding of Modifiable Risk Factors of Infertility.Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.) · 2024
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Kelly S PayneBaylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Daniel J MazurUrology Associates, Englewood, Colorado.
James M HotalingDivision of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Alexander W PastuszakDivision of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
University of Utah · USBaylor College of Medicine · USUrology Associates · US

Funding

Characterization of the Role of NELL1 in the Predisposition to Peyronie's and Dupuytren's Diseases.K08DK115835 · NIDDK · UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · PI PASTUSZAK, ALEXANDER WOJCIECH · 2018 to 2020
$490k
NIDDK NIH HHS K08 DK115835
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeWith cannabis consumption on the rise and use prominent among males of reproductive age it is essential to understand the potential impact of cannabis on male fertility. We reviewed the literature regarding the effects of cannabis on male fertility. MATERIALS AND

methodsWe performed a literature search using PubMed®/MEDLINE® to identify relevant studies of the effects of cannabis on male fertility. Relevant studies were identified and reviewed.

resultsThe strongest evidence of cannabis induced alterations in male fertility is in the category of semen parameters. Research supports a role for cannabis in reducing sperm count and concentration, inducing abnormalities in sperm morphology, reducing sperm motility and viability, and inhibiting capacitation and fertilizing capacity. Animal models demonstrate a role for cannabis in testicular atrophy, and reduced libido and sexual function but to our knowledge these results have not yet been replicated in human studies. Studies of hormonal changes suggest inconclusive effects on testosterone levels, lowered luteinizing hormone levels and unchanged follicle-stimulating hormone levels.

conclusionsCurrent research suggests that cannabis may negatively impact male fertility. Further studies are needed to validate that robust findings in animal models will carry over into human experience. Clinicians should be aware of these potential effects when prescribing medical marijuana therapies to men of reproductive age, and they should consider the degree of cannabis use as a possible component of a complete male infertility workup.

Indexed as

AnimalsCell SurvivalDisease Models, AnimalFertilityHumansInfertility, MaleMaleMedical MarijuanaSemenSperm MotilityTestisMedical Marijuanacannabiserectile dysfunctioninfertilitymalespermatozoatestis

Identifiers

PMID30916627
PMCPMC7385722
OpenAlexW2923046804

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.