Experimental studies on the chemosterilization of Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract

Treatment of mice infected with S. mansoni by various sterilants effective against male rodents produced phases of inhibition of schistosome oviposition assessed by miracidial counts. In the treated worms, besides apparent disappearance of the testes, marked involution of ovarian tissue occurred. The gonads of both male and female worms seem to be directly affected by the antifertility substances. It is suggested that gamete production in both sexes follows similar lines in contrast to the finite reservoir of meiotic oocytes in mammals.