Toxoplasma gondii: sexual transmission in mice

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate sexual transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in mice. RH strain tachyzoites were intraperitoneally inoculated into 10 Balb/C male mice and after 48 h, their semen were collected from epididymis and examined by giemsa staining and PCR. Twenty Balb/C female mice mated with four infected male mice four times and any mating time was 48 h whilst 20 female control mice mated with four uninfected male mice for 8 days. Female mate choice was assessed using a threechambered cage. Four female mice were placed in a central chamber and in one side of it, two infected male mice were kept and in other side, two naïve male mice were placed. Due each quarter, every of the female movement was reported and then the female was replaced to middle chamber. Besides on the detection of DNA and whole parasite in semen, no abortion and death was seen in female mice. Pregnancy was seen only 4 out of 20 female mice which mated with infected males while 17 pregnancies were seen from 20 control female mice (P value = 0.0001). No statistical significant was seen in female mate choice between naïve male (45 movement) and infected male (36 movement). This study showed that toxoplasmosis could not transmit to female mice and their offspring due to mating and the parasite had not effect on female mate choice. It seems that infected male mice cannot entirely mate with females due to reduction of male weapon and body size, physiological vigor and energy.

High seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in female sex workers: A case-control study

“…In addition, Blewett et al reported that semen from T. gondii infected rams were not infective to mice [ 20 ]. In a recent study of mice, T. gondii could not be transmitted to female mice and their offspring by mating [ 21 ]. In contrast, results of some studies argue in favor of a sexual transmission of T. gondii .…”

Human impact on the diversity and virulence of the ubiquitous zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii

“…3 E ). Similarly, it would be interesting in future efforts to examine any differences among strains in their capacity to manipulate intermediate host behavior in ways that make it more likely for such hosts to fall prey to cats ( 53 ), the varying effects of distinct genotypes on the reproductive fitness of mice ( 54 ), and the consequence of strain variation on sexual transmission of T. gondii ( 55 ).…”

Concordance of Toxoplasma gondii Infection Markers Among Heterosexual Couples

“…In a study in animals, T. gondii was isolated from semen of T. gondii infected sheep and researchers demonstrated a sexual transmission of T. gondii in sheep with consequent vertical transmission to their lambs [ 15 ]. In contrast, a study in mice found a lack of transmission of T. gondii to female mice and their offspring due to mating [ 16 ]. In addition, in a study using a mouse inoculation test, T. gondii could not be cultured from ejacula and biopsies specimens of the testicles of men from childless marriages [ 9 ].…”

“…Lopes et al demonstrated sexual transmission of T. gondii in sheep with vertical transmission to their lambs [ 15 ]. In contrast, experiments in mice showed that toxoplasmosis could not be transmitted to female mice and their offspring due to mating with infected male mice [ 16 ]. We are aware of only one study that determined the seroconcordance of T. gondii infection in human couples.…”