Testicular lipids and serum FSH of mice in experimental Schistosomiasis mansoni

Morphological and histopathological changes in the testis have been reported to result from bilharzial infestation. There should be certain changes in the biochemical composition of the cells which might lead to these changes in the structure. This study was undertaken to compare the lipid composition of the testis and the serum level of FSH of normal and infected white Swiss albino mice at 8, 10 and 12 weeks after infection. The results indicate that infection produced a marked and persistent decrease in serum FSH indicating hypofunction of the anterior pituitary gland. There was also marked alterations in the lipid composition of the testis. These include an elevation in the levels of triglycerides. NEFA, cholesterol and cholesterol esters and a lowering in the level of phospholipids. The changes observed could be due to various forms of endocrine disturbances associated with schistosomiasis.