Effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on the female sex organ apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2in mice

Abstract

Objective To explore and analyze the relation between the expression of the apoptosisrelated protein bax and bcl-2 in the sexual organs,female mice were infected with Toxoplasma gondii and it was observed that the expression of the apoptosis-related protein bax and bcl-2 in the sexual organs (ovaries,fallopian tubes,uterus,vagina).Methods Eighteen 10-week-old virgin mice were randomly divided into two groups:infected group and control group.Mice in the infected group were injected purified Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites (160 tachyzoites/0.2 ml ),and control group were injected equivalent PBS (0.01 mol/L,pH 7.4).Mice of infected with T.gondii were dynamically observed through the survival rate and situation of food changes.Mice were killed on the 21 st day after infection,and the ovaries,fallopian tubes,uterus,and vaginal tissue were collected.Then theose tissues were fixed,dehydrated,embedded,cut into slices,and stained to observe the pathological changes and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax,Bcl-2 with hematoxylineosin staining(HE) and lmmunohistochemical method.Results Mice in the infected group had hair loose,erect and less appetite.The organizations of ovaries,fallopian tubes,uterus and vagina in the infected group Toxoplasma gondii was found.The ovarian,tubes,uterus and vaginal were slightly swollen,enlargement,hyperemia,edema,and with many inflammatory cells.Part of Utreine was locked and mucous membrane and folds reduced.but those hsd no abnormalities in the control group.Simultaneously the expresseion of apoptosisrelated proteins Bax increased and Bcl-2 decreased in those organizations of the infected group with the increasing days of Toxoplasma gondii infection.Both changes were significant in the infected group,compared with the control group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Toxoplasma gondii could invade the sexual organs,and caused pathological changes in the organizational structure while infecting mice.And that could lead to the expression of apoptosis-related proteins abnormally along with the increasing days of Toxoplasma gondii infecting. Key words: Toxoplasma gondii; Sexual organs; Bax; Bcl-2