Impact of the malaria parasite on reproductive indices of male mice.

To investigate the impact and possible mechanism of action of the rodent malarial parasite on reproduction. Male albino mice were infected with 15, 30 and 45% through inoculation with 10 parasitized red blood cells. Each experiment had its own control that was not infected with . Mice infected with 15% were killed on days 0, 5, 10 and 15; those infected with 30% were killed on days 0, 3, 6 and 10; and those infected with 45% 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. The results showed a progressive duration dependent decrease in sperm motility, sperm count and viability ( < 0.01) in parasitized mice. There were significant decreases in serum testosterone and increases in cortisol levels ( < 0.05) in the infected mice compared with the controls. There was also a progressive decrease ( < 0.05) in red blood cell count and packed cell volume. However, there was a progressive increase ( < 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. The results suggest that the malaria parasite could depress male fertility indices. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; : 201-209).