Imbalance of Steroid Hormones in Hamsters Infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

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.