The Influence of Gonadectomy of Host on Parasitemia and Mortality of Mice Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

Male CF1 mice were more susceptible to acute infections of Trypanosoma cruzi than female mice as evidenced by significantly greater maximum mean parasitemia of approximately 8.9 times 10-6 per ml in males as compared to 1.5 times 10-6 per ml in females. Mortality was also greater in males (80 to 90% as compared to 28% in females). Ovariectomy of female mice made them more susceptible than unoperated female of similar age and stock to the Brazil strain of T. cruzi as indicated by maximum mean parasitemia of 10.9 times 10-6 per ml in the former and 7.5 times 10-6 in the latter. Mortality of the ovariectomized mice was as great as 90% in some experiments while that of unoperated controls nerve exceeded 30%. Parasitemia and mortality is castrated male mice were not significantly different from unoperated male mice infected with T. cruzi.