Hyperglycemia and ZIKV infection cause physiological, immune, and oxidative testicular dysregulation

Chronic hyperglycemia prolongs ZIKV infection and exacerbates testicular damage in mice. The combined condition severely impairs spermatogenesis through oxidative stress and inflammation.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, with a rapid increase in its prevalence worldwide, particularly in developing countries. In addition, diabetic patients experience exacerbation of symptoms during viral infections, which contribute to the progression of the pathological condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the effects of the association between DM and Zika virus (ZIKV) infection on reproductive parameters using a murine model. Ninety-six adult BALB/C mice were used, divided into four groups: Control, Diabetic, ZIKV-infected, and Diabetic plus ZIKV-infected. These animals were euthanized at 28- and 42-day post-infection (dpi). The animals were weighed and anesthetized, blood was collected by cardiac puncture, and the testicles were collected and stored according to the needs of the analyses. Alterations were observed in body and testicular biometric parameters, lactate dehydrogenase and transferrin levels, oxidative stress, and changes in cytokine expression patterns. It was concluded that either ZIKV infection or diabetes alone causes reproductive harm to these animals; however, their combination exacerbates the damage. Some altered parameters can return to normal in the ZIKV-infected group, but this is not seen in the hyperglycemia group. When combined with ZIKV infection, prolonged hyperglycemia further worsens the damage.