Altered expression of cytokines and sex steroid receptors in the reproductive tract of cysticercotic male mice

• Published in: Parasite immunology Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 91 - 100
• Main Authors: RODRÍGUEZ-DORANTES, M, LÓPEZ-GRIEGO, L, ZARAZÚA-CRUZ, C.M, MORALES-MONTOR, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2010; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; cysticercosis; Cysticercosis - immunology; Cysticercosis - parasitology; Cysticercosis - pathology; cytokines; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; feminization; Gene Expression Profiling; Genitalia, Male - immunology; Genitalia, Male - parasitology; Genitalia, Male - pathology; helminth infection; immunoendocrine; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Receptors, Steroid - biosynthesis; steroidogenesis; Taenia - immunology; Taenia - pathogenicity; Taenia crassiceps; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 0141-9838; 1365-3024
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2009.01166.x

Infection with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci in male mice produces an increase in serum oestradiol levels, whereas serum testosterone is abolished. Concomitantly, complete atrophy of the reproductive tract of infected male mice is observed. The present study was undertaken to determine the expression pattern of cytokines involved in steroidogenesis and sex steroid receptors in the reproductive tissues of normal and infected male mice, and relating this expression pattern to whole parasite counts, serum sex steroid levels and pathology of the reproductive tract in infected male mice. The expression of IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α in testes and seminal vesicles was markedly increased in infected mice; however, IL-10 and IL-1β expression was importantly decreased in the same organs. IL-2 expression in reproductive tissues was not affected by infection. The infection markedly induced the expression of androgen receptor, in both reproductive organs tested, while subtypes of oestrogen receptors were decreased in both tissues.