Resumo

SANCHEZ, María Belén et al. Leishmania (L.) amazonensis infection impairs reproductive and fetal parameters in female mice. Rev. argent. microbiol. [online]. 2021, vol.53, n.3, pp.21-30. ISSN 0325-7541.

Leishmaniasis is a group of parasitic zoonotic diseases caused by intracellular protozoans belonging to the genusLeishmania. Little is known about the effects that this parasitosis may have on the reproductive parameters and pregnancy of infected humans and pets. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused byLeishmania (Leishmania) amazonensison reproductive and fetal parameters using a female murine model. A control group of female BALB/c mice and a group infected withL. (L.) amazonensiswere mated with healthy males. Clinical parameters were monitored during the pre-mating and gestational periods. Female mice were euthanized on day 19 of gestation, when the fetuses were weighed and their length measured and embryonic resorptions and fetal death were recorded. We observed five fetal deaths and three embryonic resorptions in the infected group. Furthermore, there was a decrease in fertility in the infected group (26.32%). The weight of the offspring from infected mothers was lower than that in the control group (1.019±0.035g and 1.163±0.032g,p<0.01). Fetal length was reduced in the infected group (3.71±0.05cm in the control group and 3.40±0.06cm in the infected groupp<0.001). This study shows that cutaneous leishmaniasis caused byL. (L.) amazonensisimpairs reproductive and fetal parameters in mice.

Palavras-chave : Leishmaniasis Reproduction Fertility Mice Infection.