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By Daniella Gray
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Cannabis use could impact the quality of a women's eggs and embryos, according to new research published in the journal Nature Communications.
In their study, pharmacologist Cyntia Duval and colleagues analyzed 1,059 follicular fluid samples from women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Of these, 62 samples tested positive for THC—the psychoactive component of cannabis.
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The team found that higher THC concentrations were associated with increased egg maturation rates, but a lower number of embryos with the correct number of chromosomes, a key factor for healthy development.
Laboratory experiments supported these findings. When immature eggs—known as oocytes, which are eggs that have not yet fully developed to the stage where they can be fertilized—were exposed to THC at levels similar to those detected in patients, researchers observed more frequent chromosome errors.
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The study is the first to provide direct evidence that cannabis can impair egg quality and embryo development.
Pharmacologist professor Mark Connor of Australia's Macquarie University—who was not involved in the present study—said that the research showed cannabis consumption might affect IVF outcomes
"Culturing immature eggs in THC changed the expression levels of some genes in the eggs and THC also affected the number of eggs with normal chromosome numbers at maturation," he said.
In the comparison study, Connor noted, patients who had consumed cannabis around the time of egg collection had about 10 percent fewer fertilized eggs with a normal chromosome number compared to people who had not consumed cannabis.
"THC having effects on oocyte physiology is consistent with the presence of receptors for our body's cannabinoids in the human reproductive system, and we are only beginning to understand the effects of real-world cannabis consumption on human reproduction," he continued. "This work is an interesting step forward."
Fertility specialist professor Alex Polyakov of the University of Melbourne—who was also not involved in the present study—added that the biological changes observed were consistent with reduced embryo quality.
"Since embryo euploidy is closely linked to successful implantation and healthy pregnancy, cannabis exposure could prolong the time to conception and increase the risk of IVF failure and miscarriage," Polyakov said.
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The study did not examine the impact of cannabis use on natural conception or pregnancy outcomes, and its findings were limited by the small number of THC-positive samples.
However, the authors said the results highlight the need for more research and clearer fertility counselling.
Experts recommend women avoid cannabis use when attempting to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment, stressing that patients often underreport use.
"Clear, non-judgmental counselling should highlight the potential impact on embryo quality, the increased risk of failure to conceive and the risk of miscarriage," they said.
"Educational materials on reproductive health should include cannabis alongside other lifestyle factors such as alcohol, tobacco and body mass index."
Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about fertility? Let us know via health@newsweek.com.
Reference
Duval, C., Wyse, B. A., Fuchs Weizman, N., Kuznyetsova, I., Madjunkova, S., & Librach, C. L. (2025). Cannabis impacts female fertility as evidenced by an in vitro investigation and a case-control study. Nature Communications, 16(1), 8185. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63011-2
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