Title:Imbalance of Steroid Hormones in Hamsters Infected with Schistosoma mansoni
Volume: 19
Issue: 8
Author(s): Katia C. Oliveira, Rita Cardoso, Antonio C. Dos Santos, Ruben Fernandes and Monica C. Botelho*
Affiliation:
- INSA, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases, Porto,Portugal
Keywords:
Steroid hormones, Schistosoma mansoni infection, host-parasite interaction, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone,
infertility.
Abstract:
Objective: Schistosomiasis is a debilitating disease that affects 200 million people worldwide.
Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni are the major causative agents of this disease.
Cancer-association and infertility-association in Schistosoma haematobium infection have already
been described and it is known that the parasite produces a catechol-estrogen molecule that induces
a hormonal imbalance in the host.
Methods: In order to better understand the relation of hormonal imbalance in experimental Schistosoma
mansoni infection, we investigated a serum panel of steroid hormones in Schistosoma mansoni
infected hamsters.
Results: We found a decrease in the serum levels of Estradiol (E2), Testosterone and Progesterone in
infected females and an increase of Testosterone and a decrease in Progesterone in infected males in
comparison with controls.
Conclusion: These results indicate that S. mansoni alters the levels of steroid hormones in infected
males and females and it will increase the repertoire of data about the host-parasite molecular interplay
and its relation with the endocrine system.