Common parasite decapitates human sperm

Male fertility rates fall In the last half century. An analysis from 1992 made a stable decrease in the number of sperm and quality. Since the 1940s. A new study, male infertility rates Increased approximately 80% from 1990 to 2019. The reasons that lead this tendency continue to be a mystery, but among the frequently mentioned criminals Obesity, weak diet and environmental toxins.
Infectious diseases They are ignored factors that affect fertility in men, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. The evidence accumulated, a common single -celled parasite Toxoplasma gondii It can also contribute: April 2025 work for the first time “Human sperm lose one’s heads direct contact with “parasite.
I am a microbiologist and My laboratory work Toxoplasma. This new study supports the resulting findings that emphasize the importance of preventing this parasitic infection.
Many ways to get toxoplasmosis
Infected cats are defecated Toxoplasma Eggs in the trash, garden or other places they can be around taken by people or other animals. Water, shelled seafood and unsolved fruits and vegetables It can also contain infectious parasite eggs.
In addition to the eggs, tissue cysts in the meat of warm -blooded animals may spread Toxoplasmosis Also if they don’t disappear Cooking.
Most of the parasite can control the first infection with a small number of symptoms, if there is any symptom. Toxoplasma It stays in the body for life Moly cysts in brain, heart and muscle tissue. These cysts can re -activate and cause additional severe disease attacks that damage critical organ systems.
Relating to: 32 terrible parasitic diseases
Between 30% and 50% of the world population permanently infected Toxoplasma The spread of parasites due to many ways.
Toxoplasma can target male reproductive organs
On infection, Toxoplasma it spreads Almost every organ and skeleton muscle. Evidence Toxoplasma In addition, human male reproductive organs can target for the first time During the height of AIDS Pandemi In the 1980s, when he applied with some patients Parasitic infection in testicles.
Immune -Produced patients, although mostly at risk for testicular toxoplasmosis, Otherwise healthy individuals. Imaging of infected mice Toxoplasma parasites Travel quickly to the testicles In addition to the brain and eyes in days after infection.
My colleagues in 2017 and I Toxoplasma Moreover Form cysts in mouse prostate. The researchers also observed these parasites. ejaculation of many animalsto contain humanityraise its possibility sexual transmission.
Know this Toxoplasma It can reside in male reproductive organs, causing fertility analyzes in infected men. A Small 2021 Studies of 163 people in Prague in Prague Toxoplasma I found this There were semen anomalies over 86 %.
A research conducted in China in 2002, Infertile couples are more likely have to have Toxoplasma Infection than fertile couples is 12.11% against 34.83%. A research conducted in China in 2005, Sterile men are more likely to test positively for Toxoplasma More than fertile men.
Not all workHowever, produce a connection between toxoplasmosis and sperm quality.
Toxoplasma can directly damage human sperm
Toxoplasmosis in animals reflects infection in humans, which allows researchers to deal with questions that are not easy to study in humans.
Testicular function and sperm production decreases sharply Toxoplasma-Efekte mice– mice And priest. Infected mice, significantly lower and higher of the sperm number abnormal shaped sperm.
In this April 2025 study, researchers from Germany, Uruguay and Chile Toxoplasma Can reach testicles and epididimThe tube in which the sperm is ripening and hiding, Two days after infection in mice. This finding pushed the team to test what would happen when a parasitic test tube directly contact with human sperm.
After the parasite is only exposed to five minutes, 22.4% of sperm cells were cut off. The longer the number of sperm with a cut head increased with parasites. Sperm cells that protect their heads are usually bent and amorphous. There were holes at the beginning of some sperm cells, which made me think that parasites were trying to invade them, because another type of cell in the organs he infiltrated.
In addition to the person directly, Toxoplasma Sperme can also damage it because it encourages infection chronic inflammation. Inflammatory situations in the male reproductive system Harmful to sperm production and function.
Researchers, harmful effects Toxoplasma Sperm can contribute to large global decreases in male fertility in recent decades.
Prevention of toxoplasmosis
Proof Toxoplasma It is challenging that can infiltrate male reproductive organs in animals, but it remains unclear whether it produces health problems in humans. The testicular toxoplasmosis shows that parasites can invade human testicles, but Symptomatic disease is very rare. Studies on the sperm of infected men to date are too small to achieve definite conclusions.
In addition, some reports of toxoplasmosis rates in high -income countries did not increase In the last few decades, male infertility increases, so it will be only part of the puzzle.
Regardless of the potential effect of this parasite on fertility, Toxoplasma. An infection may cause low or birth defects if someone purchases for the first time during pregnancy, and may threaten life for people with immunity.
Buyer Appropriate care of your catImmediately cleaning the trash can and washing your hands thoroughly can help reduce your exposure Toxoplasma. You can also protect yourself from this parasite by washing fruits and vegetables Cooking meat into suitable temperatures Before consuming and avoiding Sea animals with raw shells– raw water And raw milk.
This article was updated to eliminate a false statement about the prevalence of deaths due to food -based toxoplasmosis.
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