Impact of the malaria parasite on reproductive indices of male mice

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)