Cannabis and metformin on diabetic male Wistar rat sperm and reproductive organ parameters

Purpose Cannabis use has reportedly increased in type 2 diabetic users as a possible co-treatment for associated pain and inflammation. Both cannabis and metformin (an anti-diabetic drug) have a limited number of studies completed on their effect on male reproductive parameters in a diabetic model. This study determined if cannabis and metformin administration alter various reproductive parameters in diabetic male rats. Methods Male Wistar rats (n = 35) were fed on a high fat diet and injected with streptozotocin (30 mg/kg rat) to induce a type-2 diabetic model. Treatment groups received cannabis based on Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations of 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg per rat and metformin (50 mg/kg) every alternate day for 10 weeks. Organ weight; serum testosterone levels and sperm count, motility, lipid peroxidation, citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were measured. Results Cannabis treatment induced a significant concentration dependent decrease in sperm motility at 5 mg/kg rat THC (P = 0.009) administration. Metformin significantly (P = 0.035) increased sperm counts and lactate dehydrogenase activity (P = 0.002). Both cannabis and metformin negatively affected testosterone concentrations. Conclusions Cannabis needs to be used cautiously as an alternative treatment in diabetic males based on the negative effects observed for the various reproductive parameters in this diabetic rat model.