Feminization and reduction of testicular weight in mouse sparganosis
The Korean Journal of Parasitology
; : 167-169, 2006.
Article
in En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-113929
Responsible library:
WPRO
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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Organ Size
/
Testis
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Time Factors
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Sparganosis
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Estrogens
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Feminization
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
The Korean Journal of Parasitology
Year:
2006
Type:
Article