Steroid hormones in murine schistosomiasis mansoni

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in 76 countries, that afflicts more than 240 million people. The impact of schistosomiasis on infertility may be underestimated according to recent literature. Extracts of Schistosoma (S.) haematobium include estrogen-like metabolites termed catechol-estrogens that down regulate estrogen receptors alpha and beta in estrogen responsive cells. In addition, schistosome derived catechol-estrogens induce genotoxicity that result in estrogen-DNA adducts and cause hormonal imbalance. We now hypothesize the induction of infertility in individuals infected with S. mansoni also through an hormonal imbalance. Aim The aim of this study was to study a panel of steroid hormones in mice infected with S. mansoni.