Zika virus can cause infertility in men

Research in male mice shows that the Zika virus damages important cells, leading to testicular atrophy, reduced sex hormones and limited fertility.

Although the study was only conducted on mice, scientists are still concerned that the negative effects are likely to occur in humans as well. "This finding needs to be re-examined," said Michael Diamond, a doctor of pathology, immunology and molecular biology at the University of Washington (USA), who led the study.

Photo: Today.

According to Reuters, to study Zika, Dr. Diamond and his colleagues injected the virus into male mice. After 4 weeks, the testicles of infected mice were one-tenth smaller than before and the internal structure including seminiferous tubules, which are very important for creating new sperm, was destroyed.

The team also found that Zika attacks and kills Sertoli cells, which maintain the barrier between blood and the testicles and create an environment for sperm to develop. More dangerously, Sertoli cells do not regenerate. "The problem is that the virus affects a part that cannot be repaired if damaged," Dr. Diamond emphasized.

Based on testicular function tests, the authors concluded that sperm counts, sex hormones, and fertility in Zika-infected male mice were all reduced. The successful conception rate with healthy female mice in virus-positive male mice was also reduced by four times.

Previous studies have shown that Zika can survive in semen for up to six months, but it has not been determined whether it is harmful. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for Zika. Global efforts to combat Zika have focused on protecting pregnant women because the virus can severely harm unborn babies, leading to microcephaly and other brain abnormalities.

According to VNE