Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Raji, Y., Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Akinsomisoye, O.S., Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; Azeez, M.O., Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Aim: To investigate the impact and possible mechanism of action of the rodent malarial parasite on reproduction. Methods: Male albino mice were infected with 15, 30 and 45% Plasmodium berghei berghei through inoculation with 107 parasitized red blood cells. Each experiment had its own control that was not infected with P. berghei berghei. Mice infected with 15% P. berghei berghei were killed on days 0, 5, 10 and 15; those infected with 30% P. berghei berghei were killed on days 0, 3, 6 and 10; and those infected with 45% P. berghei berghei were killed on days 1-7 after infection. Caudal epididymal sperm motility, counts and morphology, body and wet organ weights and hematological indices were determined. Results: The results showed a progressive duration dependent decrease in sperm motility, sperm count and viability (P < 0.01) in parasitized mice. There were significant decreases in serum testosterone and increases in cortisol levels (P < 0.05) in the infected mice compared with the controls. There was also a progressive decrease (P < 0.05) in red blood cell count and packed cell volume. However, there was a progressive increase (P < 0.01) in white blood cell count and weight of the spleen and liver. There was no significant change in weight of the testis and epididymides. Conclusion: The results suggest that the malaria parasite could depress male fertility indices. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 201-209): © 2006 The Authors Journal compilation 2006 Japan Society for Reproductive Medicine.
hydrocortisone; testosterone; analysis of variance; animal cell; animal experiment; animal tissue; article; cell viability; controlled study; disease course; epididymis; erythrocyte count; hematocrit; hydrocortisone blood level; inoculation; leukocyte count; liver weight; malaria; male; male infertility; morphology; mouse; mouse strain; nonhuman; parasitemia; Plasmodium berghei; priority journal; reproduction; semen analysis; spermatozoon count; spermatozoon motility; spleen weight; Student t test; testosterone blood level