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Interstitial orchitis with impaired steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in the testes of rabbits infected with an attenuated strain of myxoma virus

The pathogenesis of infertility associated with acute viral orchitis was investigated in a rabbit model. Infection of postpubertal male European rabbits with an attenuated strain of myxoma virus caused systemic disease with viral replication to high titres in the testes. Infected rabbits developed an interstitial orchitis and epididymitis. This was associated with degeneration of the seminiferous epithelium, decreased serum testosterone concentrations and increased serum LH concentrations. Virus was localized within the interstitial cells. Clearance of infectious virus from the testis occurred between day 20 and day 30 after infection, although viral DNA could still be detected by polymerase chain reaction at 120 days. Viral clearance was associated with a return to normal serum testosterone and LH concentrations. Anti-sperm antibodies were present in the serum as early as 5 days after infection and declined during the recovery phase. Rabbits were infertile at 60 days but returned to normal fertility 60–90 days after infection.

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