Lifestyle and environmental factors can disrupt development and testicular function. In France, cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance and about 8% of adults between 18 and 64 years smoke cannabis at least once a year, and mostly men under 45 years. Endocannabinoids are lipid mediators that share some effects with the active ingredients of cannabis. Cannabis and endocannabinoids act via two types of endogenous receptors which were detected at different levels of the reproductive system and are involved in the central and local regulation of the gonad. Cannabis use may alter the normal regulation of the endocannabinoid system. In males, the regulation of the endocannabinoid system is critical for Sertoli and Leydig cells functions, germ cell differentiation, maturation of sperm nucleus and sperm quality. The cannabis can have a negative impact on sperm parameters, capacitation and acrosome reaction. Cannabinoids may decrease testosterone synthesis and induce apoptosis of Sertoli cells. Studies on the effect of cannabinoids on male fertility are scarce or nonexistent in infertile men because of ethical considerations and bias due to consumption often underreported. Investigators hypothesized that cannabis use may alter sperm nuclear quality. Investigators want to explore this hypothesis conducting a multicentric prospective study exposed/non-exposed in infertile men who are consulting for Medically Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). To reach this study, it is planned to include a total of 200 subjects taking into account any exclusions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
71
Questionnaire about cannabis consumption will be assessed to infertile male exposed to cannabis and infertile male not exposed to cannabis.
blood intake is done for infertile male exposed and infertile male not exposed.
Semen samples are collected for infertile male exposed and infertile male not exposed.
Caen University Hospital
Caen, France
Lille University Hospital
Lille, France
Rouen University Hospital
Rouen, France
Evaluation of spermatic aneuploidy rate
Spermatic aneuploidy rate is evaluated for patients exposed and not exposed to cannabis
Time frame: Day 1
Evaluation of consumption level
Consumption level are evaluated for patients exposed to cannabis, using questionnaire
Time frame: Day 1
Evaluation of cannabinoids level in blood
cannabinoids levels in blood are evaluated for patients exposed and not exposed to cannabis
Time frame: Day 1
Total sperm count
Time frame: Day 1
Percentage of mobile spermatozoa
Time frame: Day 1
Percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa
Time frame: Day 1
Mean vacuole area threshold
Mean vacuole area threshold is measured with Receiver Operating Characteristic curves
Time frame: Day 1
Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and sperm DNA fragmentation
Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and sperm DNA fragmentation are evaluated by TUNEL analysis
Time frame: Day 1
Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and abnormal chromatin condensation
Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and abnormal chromatin condensation is evaluated by aniline blue staining
Time frame: Day 1
Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and telomere number, distribution and length
Correlation coefficient between vacuole areas and telomere number, distribution and length is evaluated by quantitative FISH
Time frame: Day 1
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.