Effects of testosterone on blood leukocytes in plasmodium berghei-infected mice

Parasitol Res. 1989;75(8):611-3. doi: 10.1007/BF00930957.

Abstract

Gonadectomized male mice aged 5 weeks were given 5 mg testosterone propionate daily for 14 days. The treatment significantly decreased the number of blood leukocytes. The number of all individual types of leukocytes except basophils in vehicle-treated gonadectomized mice was increased. Testosterone-treated mice consistently had a lower number of leukocytes after being infected with Plasmodium berghei than did vehicle-treated mice. The results suggest that testosterone suppresses the production of leukocytes and that testosterone-treated mice become more susceptible to parasite infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Leukocytes / drug effects
  • Leukocytes / physiology*
  • Malaria / drug therapy
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Orchiectomy
  • Plasmodium berghei
  • Testosterone / physiology*
  • Testosterone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Testosterone