Are parasites causing a tailspin in your testes?!
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite infecting about a third of the world’s population. And it gets worse.
Dr. Lisbeth Rojas-Baron and team at the Justus Liebig University Giessen have some SEMINAL findings! Infections from this parasite can lead to male infertility. SOS – Save our sperm!
Placing sperm and parasites together for five minutes beheaded nearly a quarter of the sperm! After confronting the parasite, half of the sperm died – even if they weren’t beheaded.
By damaging sperm, Toxoplasma gondii could be a hidden cause of male infertility.
Sounds like those guys got CUT from the swim team! That’s nuts!
Reference: Rojas‐Barón, L., Tana‐Hernandez, L., Nguele Ampama, M. H., Sanchéz, R., Gärtner, U., Wagenlehner, F. M. E., Preußer, C., Pogge Von Strandmann, E., Hermosilla, C., Taubert, A., Francia, M. E., & Velasquez, Z. D.. (2025). Adverse impact of acute Toxoplasma gondii infection on human spermatozoa. The FEBS Journal. https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.70097