Possible role of Schistosoma mansoni infection in male hypogonadism
Saad, A.H.; Abdelbaky, A.; Osman, A.M.; Abdallah, K.F.; Salem, D.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 29(2): 307-323
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 1110-0583 PMID: 10605485 Document Number: 506273
It has been suggested that Schistosoma mansoni can decrease the reproductive potential or castrate both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts and can cause anatomical anomalies of the reproductive organs thus affecting fertility. To investigate the effect of schistosomiasis on gonadal functions, the production of testosterone (TS), leutinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) was evaluated in 45 randomly selected Egyptian men infected with S. mansoni. All participants were examined clinically and tested for sperm count and motility, haematological parameters and liver function. Mean TS levels were at the lowest limit of the normal range for liver cirrhosis patients. Mean E2 levels were increased in all patients, but those with liver cirrhosis-related schistosomiasis had higher E2 levels. Linear regression analysis showed that sex hormone levels correlated best with liver function parameters. The data suggest that a sex hormone imbalance plays a role in patients with liver cirrhosis due to the inhibitory effects of schistosomiasis on gonadal function.