Effects of Schistosoma mansoni on androgen regulated gene expression in the mouse.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of liver mRNA translation products and dot-blot hybridization revealed that the levels of mRNA encoding major urinary proteins were greatly reduced in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Major urinary protein mRNA levels are known to be androgen regulated. Dot-blot hybridization analysis of RNAs from various mouse tissues with a variety of cDNA probes indicated that all androgen-regulated mRNAs tested were reduced in infected mice. Administration of testosterone to infected animals restored urinary major urinary protein levels. Direct measurement of serum testosterone levels and seminal vesicle weights confirmed that chronic schistosome infection reduces testosterone to castration levels in male mice.