Search Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle & Manceaux, 1909) in testicle and epididymis the infected feline (Felis catus)

• Grant number: 14/02254-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Alvimar José da Costa
• Grantee: Maria Eduarda Gonçalves Tozato
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The importance of felines in the transmission of toxoplasmosis is a notorious fact in literature. Sexual transmission of such infirmity was already confirmed in some species of domestic animals (dogs, sheep and goats). With the intent of aiding in the elucidation of eventual sexual transmission of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in cats, the present study was projected with the objective of diagnosing tissular forms of the parasite in testis and epididymis of experimentally infected cats. No similar studies were found in consulted literature. For such, six male felines, in reproductive age, serologically negative for T. gondii, Will be selected in order to form two experimental groups. Four cats will be inoculated with tachyzoites (RH strain) subcutaneously (GI) and two will be maintained as uninfected controls (GII). Direct or indirect presence of this protozoan will be evaluated, in both groups, with the aid of serological exams (indirect immunofluorescence) and, also, with research of the parasite in samples of testis and epididymis collected from both experimental groups (through orchiectomy of the animals) in the 70th day post inoculation. Research of on tissues Will be conducted using histopathological and immunohistochemical exams, nested PCR and bioassays on mice. From the obtained results will be extracted appropriate inferences.