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Published on: July 6, 2013
Experimental inoculation of male mice with murine cytomegalovirus and effect on offspring
L Tebourbi1, A M Courtot, R Duchateau
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Unité 355, 92140 Clamart, France.
Background:
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) was used to examine aspects of viral infection in male mice, and its possible transmission to their offspring.
Methods And Results:
FVB/N mice inoculated intratesticularly with 5x10(5) plaque forming units (PFU) of MCMV, developed peritoneal haemorrhagic exudates, spleen hypertrophy and acute local infection. Infectiousness was detected until 15 days post-inoculation (D15 PI) in the genital organs, and virus DNA up to D35 PI. Testicular endothelial and Leydig cells were infected, and peritubular cells severely damaged. Spermatogenesis was affected, but neither germ cells nor Sertoli cells were infected. No virus was found in the epididymal epithelial cells. Viral DNA was detected in cells extracted from vas deferens samples until D15 PI. Neither infectious virus nor viral DNA were found in spermatozoa recovered from uterine fluid, fertilized oocytes, blastocysts, fetal tissues or newborn animals following the mating of infected males with uninfected females.
Conclusions:
MCMV harboured in the male genital organs was not transmitted to their offspring, even when mating occurred during the acute phase of CMV disease. Although the infection may have had an impact on spermatogenesis, fertility was not affected. These results do not support the hypothesis of conceptus MCMV infection by the fertilizing spermatozoon in natural conception.
Insights
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in male mice did not transmit to offspring via mating. MCMV affected spermatogenesis but not fertility, refuting transmission through spermatozoa.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Reproductive Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in male mice was studied to understand viral transmission to offspring.
- The study investigated the potential for MCMV to be transmitted from infected males to their progeny.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if MCMV infection in male mice can be transmitted to their offspring.
- To assess the impact of MCMV genital infection on male reproductive organs and fertility.
Main Methods:
- FVB/N mice were inoculated intratesticularly with MCMV.
- Infectivity and viral DNA presence were monitored in genital organs and related tissues over time.
- Mating of infected males with uninfected females was performed to assess transmission to offspring.
- Offspring and conceptus tissues were analyzed for MCMV presence.
Main Results:
- Intratesticular MCMV inoculation caused acute local infection, spleen hypertrophy, and peritoneal exudates.
- Infectious MCMV was detected in genital organs up to 15 days post-inoculation (D15 PI), with viral DNA present up to D35 PI.
- Testicular endothelial and Leydig cells were infected, peritubular cells damaged, and spermatogenesis affected, but germ cells and Sertoli cells remained uninfected.
- No infectious virus or viral DNA was found in spermatozoa, uterine fluid, oocytes, blastocysts, fetal tissues, or newborn offspring.
Conclusions:
- MCMV harbored in male genital organs was not transmitted to offspring, even during acute infection.
- While MCMV impacted spermatogenesis, male fertility was not affected.
- The findings do not support the hypothesis of conceptus MCMV infection via the fertilizing spermatozoon during natural conception.
