Recovery of Schistosoma mansoni from hormonally imbalanced hosts

Robinson, E. J.

Albino mice were hormonally altered by injection of testosterone, castration, or both, and exposed to S. mansoni cercariae. The worms were recovered after reaching maturity, and counted and classified as to sex. The effects of the experimental treatments were not entirely consistent, but in general castration either did not affect the survival of the worms, or led to a higher survival rate of either sex than in control worms. Testosterone injections did not affect survival, but the combination treatment caused a reduction in survival rate of male worms. Most of these findings were in disagreement with published reports, and possible reasons for the disagreements were discussed. It is concluded that the survival rate of schistosomes can be altered by disturbing the hormonal metabolism of the mouse hosts, but the conditions required for a predictable change are not yet known.