Korean J Parasitol.  2006 Jun;44(2):167-169. 10.3347/kjp.2006.44.2.167.

Feminization and reduction of testicular weight in mouse sparganosis

• Yang HJ

• KMID: 1720514
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2006.44.2.167

Abstract

After infection of male mice with the plerocercoids (spargana) of Spirometra mansoni, serum levels of estrogen and testicular weight were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and weighing machine, respectively. The serum level of estrogen increased progressively in infected mice compared with normal controls, whereas the testicular weight of infected mice decreased significantly (P < 0.05). These results suggest that certain substances from spargana change the steroid hormone metabolisms in the host by unknown pathways, and chronic infection may contribute to change of the function of steroid hormone target organ, i.e., testis, in male mice.

Keyword

Spirometra mansoni; sparganum; plerocercoid; estrogen; testis

MeSH Terms

Time Factors
Testis/*parasitology/pathology
Sparganosis/*complications
Organ Size
Mice
Male
Feminization/*parasitology
Estrogens/blood
Animals