Journal Article

Zika Virus Infection Damages the Testes in Pubertal Common Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri collinsi)

Makiama, Sheila Tetsume, Medeiros, Daniele Barbosa de Almeida, Oliveira, Karol Guimarães, Leão, Danuza Leite, Coutinho, Leandro Nassar, Martins, Ana Cristina Carneiro, Carneiro, Liliane Almeida, Casseb, Lívia Medeiros Neves, de Alcantara, Bianca Nascimento, Benchimol, Gabriela da Costa, Imbeloni, Aline Amaral, de Castro, Luiz Paulo Printes Albarelli, Santos, Josye Bianca, Lopes, Ana Sophia da Costa, Scalercio, Sarah Raphaella Rocha de Azevedo, Okada, Eviny Sayuri Trindade, Pereira, Washington Luiz Assunção, Vasconcelos, Pedro Fernando da Costa, Domingues, Sheyla Farhayldes Souza

2023

Overview

During the Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak and after evidence of its sexual transmission was obtained, concerns arose about the impact of the adverse effects of ZIKV infection on human fertility. In this study, we evaluated the clinical-laboratory aspects and testicular histopathological patterns of pubertal squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi) infected with ZIKV, analyzing the effects at different stages of infection. The susceptibility of S. collinsi to ZIKV infection was confirmed by laboratory tests, which detected viremia (mean 1.63 × 106 RNA copies/µL) and IgM antibody induction. Reduced fecal testosterone levels, severe testicular atrophy and prolonged orchitis were observed throughout the experiment by ultrasound. At 21 dpi, testicular damage associated with ZIKV was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. Tubular retraction, the degeneration and necrosis of somatic and germ cells in the seminiferous tubules, the proliferation of interstitial cells and an inflammatory infiltrate were observed. ZIKV antigen was identified in the same cells where tissue injuries were observed. In conclusion, squirrel monkeys were found to be susceptible to the Asian variant of ZIKV, and this model enabled the identification of multifocal lesions in the seminiferous tubules of the infected group evaluated. These findings may suggest an impact of ZIKV infection on male fertility.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Animals / antibodies / antigens / Arthropods / Atrophy / Biodiversity / Cell proliferation / Degeneration / Disease transmission / Feces / Fertility / Germ cells / Health aspects / histopathology / human fertility / Humans / Immunoglobulin M / immunohistochemistry / Infections / Infectious diseases / Inflammation / Interstitial cells / Laboratories / Male / male fertility / Males / Monkeys & apes / necrosis / Orchitis / Primates / Public health / RNA / Saimiri / Saimiri collinsi / squirrel monkeys / squirrels / Testes / testes damage / Testis / Testosterone / Tropical diseases / Tubules / ultrasonics / Viremia / Zika virus / Zika Virus - genetics / Zika Virus Infection