Influência da infecção por Plasmodium berghei ANKA na espermatogênese de Calomys callosus

Abstract

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, with systemic effects that can impact multiple organs, including the male reproductive system. This study investigated the effects of Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection on spermatogenesis in Calomys callosus. Parameters such as body weight, testicular morphology, and sperm structural integrity were analyzed. The results revealed a significant reduction in germinal epithelium height and seminiferous tubule diameter, along with an increased frequency of spermatozoa exhibiting morphological abnormalities in the head, tail, and cytoplasmic droplet. These findings suggest that malaria may impair sperm quality through multifactorial mechanisms, including oxidative stress (EKHOYE; ALOAMAKA; NWANGWA, 2019), hormonal imbalances (RAJI et al., 2006), and disruptions in the testicular and epididymal environment (ISLAM et al., 2023; LI et al., 2021). While these alterations point to a potential impact on fertility, it remains unclear whether they directly affect reproductive capacity. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and to explore the relationship between sperm morphology and functional fertility.