A study published in medical journal Human Reproduction has claimed that the use of marijuana may have adverse effects on a man's sperm that may affect one's fertility.

The researchers sought to determine common lifestyle factors that may be associated with poor sperm morphology. The researchers analysed the various lifestyles activities and factors that could be linked to fertility. In a study that looked at the data from 1,970 men from fertility clinics across the United Kingdom who aside from providing information on their lifestyle, habits and medical history, also provided samples of their semen.

Fox News notes that using the guidelines on sperm morphology issued by the World Health Organization, a majority of the participants, 1,652 men, were able to produce "normal" samples of sperm - meaning over 4 percent of their sperm was the right shape size. However, a considerable number, 318 men, had abnormal samples, meaning less than 4 percent of their sperm morphology was correct.

Upon review of the data and samples, it was found that the males with abnormal sperm were actually men who had smoked marijuana within a three months of having provided a semen sample.

What does this mean?

Simply put, pot may increase a man's ability to conceive so for those who are trying to have a baby and using cannabis, it's best to give up the habit.

"We weren't really interested in [the cannabis angle] at all," said Dr. Allan Pacey, the study's lead author and a senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield in England.

"We were interested in trying to best define the risks of sperm quality. We recruited [a couple thousand] guys, who gave us a sperm sample and allowed us to investigate aspects of their lives ... It was just one of the things we asked if they did; it was no more detailed than that."

Although the research didn't set out to target marijuana specifically, based on the findings, the the scientists noted in the research harmful effects of marijuana use on brain development especially in teens and young adults. Studies have shown that a large percentage of the population, notably the youth, believe that cannabis use is relatively harmful.

"It is important to alert the public that using marijuana in the teen years brings health, social, and academic risk," said the press release.