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A Zika virus infection on men may irreversibly damage the sexual organ, thereby causing low sperm counts and low testosterone levels as well as infertility. A study on mice infected with Zika shows shrunken testicles and lowered sex hormones. Though there are no hard facts yet to ascertain the damage of the virus on infected men, medical practitioners are alarmed that Zika may be wrought more damage than previously known.

Countries worldwide, particularly in Central and South America, have raised an alarm on Zika infections, especially for pregnant women because the virus causes microcephaly in the infant. However, men may also be at the forefront of concern for the Zika virus can potentially affect their reproductive capacities.

A new study by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis tested the effects of Zika on mice. Those infected have testicles smaller by 90 percent from its original size. Sperm counts and testosterone levels also dropped significantly.

Even more alarming is that the organs of the infected mice show no indication of healing weeks after the virus has been cleared. The damage appears to be permanent as reported in the Daily Mail.

Kelle Moley, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, reveals that the effects of the infection on men are not easily detected. Male infertility is often discovered after a series of tests, years after the infection.

Meanwhile, traces of the virus have been found in a man's testes surviving for 3 months and in the sexual organ for 6 months. The Zika virus is so specialized that it attacks the reproductive organ by eliminating Sertoli cells, responsible for ensuring sperm viability and protection of growing cells.

There are no conclusive data to confirm that the same results may happen in human subjects as of yet. Nonetheless, the study can readily give a clue on how the virus could interact with a mammalian host, CNN reported.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will still need to make further research to determine the extent of the damage caused by the virus on men and what measures can be made to prevent any irreversible damage.