Mumps Virus Infection Leads to Severe Testicular Damage and Hormonal Disruptions in Men!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 04, 2025 7 hours, 12 minutes ago
Medical News: A Re-Emerging Threat to Male Fertility
Mumps, a contagious viral infection caused by the mumps virus (MuV), has long been recognized as a threat to male reproductive health. Despite the widespread use of vaccines, mumps outbreaks have resurfaced globally, often leading to severe complications such as orchitis - a painful inflammation of the testicles. A new study conducted by researchers from Inserm, University of Rennes, and several leading medical institutions in France sheds light on how MuV affects the human testis and contributes to infertility.
Mumps Virus Infection Leads to Severe Testicular Damage and Hormonal Disruptions in Men
This
Medical News report highlights the alarming findings of the study, which demonstrate that MuV actively infects key testicular cells, disrupts hormonal functions, and triggers a severe inflammatory response, leading to potential long-term damage. The research, utilizing an innovative ex vivo human testis model, provides crucial insights into why MuV-induced orchitis results in fertility problems while other testis-infecting viruses like Zika do not cause similar inflammation.
Key Findings of the Study
The researchers used human testis tissue to study the replication dynamics of MuV and its impact on cellular functions. The findings revealed that MuV replicates efficiently in the testis and targets two critical cell types: Leydig cells, which are responsible for testosterone production, and Sertoli cells, which play a vital role in nurturing sperm cells. Unlike the Zika virus, which can persist in the testis without causing immediate damage, MuV triggered an intense pro-inflammatory response, leading to cellular dysfunction and destruction.
MuV Infection of Leydig Cells and Testosterone Disruption
One of the most significant findings was that MuV directly infects Leydig cells, reducing their ability to produce testosterone. The virus interferes with the steroidogenesis pathway, particularly by inhibiting the 17,20-lyase activity of the CYP17A1 enzyme. This results in a marked decline in testosterone levels, which can lead to hormonal imbalances, reduced sperm production, and long-term reproductive health consequences.
Sertoli Cells Under Attack
The study also found that MuV infects Sertoli cells, the specialized cells responsible for supporting and protecting developing sperm cells. Infected Sertoli cells underwent pyroptosis, a form of inflammatory cell death that leads to increased immune activation and testicular inflammation. The breakdown of Sertoli cells contributes to a hostile environment for sperm development, further exacerbating the risk of infertility.
The Body’s Immune Response to MuV Infection
MuV infection was found to elicit a rapid and intense immune response in the testis, primarily driven by the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β. This contrasts with other testis-tropic viruses like Zika, which evade immune detection and persist silently in t
he reproductive system. The heightened inflammatory response observed in MuV infections may explain the severe testicular damage and increased risk of long-term fertility issues.
Why This Research Matters
The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying MuV-induced orchitis and testicular damage. The research emphasizes the importance of continued vaccination efforts to prevent mumps infections, particularly among young males. Given that no effective treatments currently exist to prevent orchitis and its consequences, these insights pave the way for potential antiviral strategies aimed at preserving testicular function in affected individuals.
Conclusion
This study highlights the alarming impact of MuV infection on male reproductive health. By demonstrating how MuV actively replicates in the testis, disrupts testosterone production, and triggers an intense immune response leading to cellular destruction, researchers have provided a comprehensive understanding of the disease’s pathogenesis. These findings underscore the importance of preventive measures, such as vaccination, and open new avenues for therapeutic research to mitigate the effects of MuV on fertility. Moving forward, further studies will be needed to explore potential treatment options and strategies to protect men from the devastating reproductive consequences of MuV infection.
The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5116041
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-study-finds-that-hepatitis-e-virus-infects-and-replicates-in-men-s-testicles-and-sertoli-cells
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-brazilian-and-american-study-discovers-that-the-testes-of-males-could-be-viral-sanctuaries-for-the-sars-cov-2-virus
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