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Parasitic flatworms colonising the circulatory system, schistosomes are a serious global health concern, estimated to infect 220 million people, mostly in poorer nations, and causing around 250,000 deaths a year. Most health problems associated with schistosomiasis stem from the females’ huge production of eggs, which can accumulate inside organs. To become reproductively active and keep laying eggs, a female worm (pictured, in pink), must be paired with a larger male (in blue), slotting into a groove along its body. Researchers have long known this association is essential, but only recently uncovered how males control female reproduction. Paired males produce an enzyme, SmNRPS, that synthesises a small peptide, named BATT; secreted out into the environment, this pheromone then activates female reproduction, and can do so even in the absence of a male. Disrupting this signalling pathway could prevent egg production, suggesting new avenues for treatments to reduce the symptoms of infection.

Written by Emmanuelle Briolat

Emmanuelle Briolat

Writer

A researcher specialising in visual signals in Lepidoptera, camouflage and the effects of light pollution, Emmanuelle’s writing covers a range of topics, from biomedical research to children’s books about moth defences.

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• Image by James Collins and Ana Vieira, UTSW. Research by Rui Chen and Jipeng Wang, et al, Collins Lab
• Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
• Image copyright held by the original authors
• Research published in Cell, April 2022