Release date: 2016-11-25

Recently, the international academic journal Cell has published the latest research results of Zika virus in cooperation with Gao Xiang team of the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor Li Xiangdong of China Agricultural University. The title of the paper is Zika Virus Causes Testis Damage and Leads to Male Infertility in Mice. The article finds that Zika virus causes testicular damage in mouse models and eventually leads to male sterility. It reveals from a new perspective that Zika virus may exist for human health. Impact. Ma Wenqiang from China Agricultural University, Li Shihua from the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ma Yuqian and Jia Lina from China Agricultural University are the co-first authors of the article.

At present, the focus on Zika virus is mainly concentrated on the neurological diseases such as neonatal small head disease and Guillain-Barre syndrome. The latest research results of the Gaofu team and Li Xiangdong's research group show that Zika virus can also affect the male reproductive system, suggesting its potential harm to men's health. In the mouse model, Zika virus infection can break through the blood testis barrier, causing testicular interstitial congestion, acute orchitis and epididymitis on the 8th day after infection, testicular and epididymis tissues are significantly atrophied, and testosterone levels are significantly reduced. On the 16th day after infection, a large number of sperm cells died and testicular tubules ruptured; on the 30th day, the testes continued to shrink, and the seminiferous tubules further lost normal structure; on the 60th day, the testes completely atrophied and the internal structure was completely destroyed.

Further research found that Zika virus can infect the testis and epididymis, but not the prostate and seminal vesicles. Sertoli, Leydig cells, and epididymal epithelial cells in testis tissue produce a large number of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines after Zika virus infection, while perivascular muscle-like cells (Peritubular cell) and spermatogonial (Spermatogonia) produce relatively few cytokines, suggesting that pericytes and spermatogonia are more susceptible to Zika virus and may act as a reservoir for the virus.

Zika virus is similar to other flavivirus members, such as dengue virus, Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus, and is mainly transmitted by mosquito vectors. Previous studies have found that Zika virus can still exist in semen for several months, suggesting the possibility of sexual contact transmission. This study provides a scientific basis for Zika virus transmission through semen, suggesting that the impact of Zika virus on men's health and the risk of sexual transmission needs to be concerned worldwide.

Figure: Zika virus-infected mice cause orchitis/ epididymitis and eventually lead to male sterility

Source: Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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