Differential Transcriptome Study on the Damage of Testicular Tissues Caused by Chronic Infection of T. Gondii in Mice

This study examines the effects of chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection on mouse testicular tissue, focusing on gene expression changes related to spermatogenesis. Using RNA-seq, researchers identified 250 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in infected mice, with significant changes in genes like Arhgap18 and Syne1, affecting the blood-testis barrier (BTB) cytoskeleton, and downregulation of the PTGDS gene, crucial for BTB integrity. These alterations suggest that T. gondii infection could compromise the spermatogenic environment and male fertility. The study involved six 8-week-old male mice, with three infected, and confirmed findings through RT-qPCR and western blotting, highlighting the potential reproductive health risks associated with chronic T. gondii infection.