Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2016-06-17"
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- Schistosoma mansoni infection associated infertilityPublication . Botelho, MónicaSchistosomiasis 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 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. The aim of this study was to study infertility in mice infected with S. mansoni. Female mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and noninfected female controls, male mice infected with S. mansoni and noninfected male controls were mated during 8 months. Gestational length and, number of pupps were studied. Animals were euthanized and their ovaries, uterus and testes were examined histopathologically. Infected females had shorted gestational length than controls. Births of infected females were not synchronous as in controls. The number of pupps was decreased in infected females in comparison to controls. Ovaries, uterus and testes of infected mice showed definite structural damage. No ova, worms or specific granulomata were detected in infected mice in organs other than liver and spleen. To our knowledge this is the first study addressing S. mansoni infection associated infertility. It is concluded that schistosomiasis has an important metabolic effect leading to reproduction disorder in infected animals. These results together with histopathological findings with absence of egg in all examined ovaries, uterus and testicular sections emphasize the possible role of hormonal imbalance in the pathogenesis of such lesions. The changes observed could be due to catechol-estrogens associated with schistosomiasis.
- Bioethics and Genetic TestingPublication . Ventura, C.
- Food Microbiology Laboratory Overview of food analysisPublication . Barreira, Maria JoãoIntroduction to microorganisms and foodborne diseases. Activities in a Food Microbiology Laboratory.