Potential Link Between Parasite Proteins and Human Fertility

On 5th May 2026, research at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) was announced, potentially connecting malaria parasite biology with male infertility and revealing new areas for treatment.

More than 200 million people are infected with malaria each year, leading to over 600,000 global deaths. Dr Claire Sayers from UNSW’s School of Biomedical Sciences is investigating how disrupting the reproductive proteins of malaria parasites might stop disease transmission.

Dr Sayers explains, “When a mosquito drinks the blood of someone infected with the parasite, the sex cells combine in the mosquito to create new parasites.” Disrupting the proteins in male parasites prevents their development, potentially stopping malaria spread.

Only a tiny fraction of parasites in the bloodstream develop into male and female forms, but they are essential for transmission. If these proteins are disrupted, the cycle of transmission can be interrupted, preventing the spread of the disease.

Malaria infects over 200 million people each year, with more than 600,000 deaths globally. Despite treatments clearing parasites from the bloodstream, transmission persists through mosquitoes. Dr Sayers and her team target proteins involved in the male parasite’s reproduction, aiming to inhibit the development of sex cells within mosquitoes.

Broader Implications of the Research

In addition to malaria, Dr Sayers discovered that the proteins crucial to malaria parasites are also found in human sperm cells. This overlap suggests that mutations in these proteins might be linked to male infertility, providing a new avenue for fertility research.

“There are some published studies showing infertile men with mutations in these proteins,” Dr Sayers noted. This correlation prompts further investigation into whether similar disruptions could affect human fertility.

The research has already led to promising results in the lab. However, there’s still at least another decade of research in animal models and drug design before a treatment could be used to prevent malaria transmission to humans.

When successful, the approach could be incorporated into existing treatments for malaria symptoms, delivered through oral or injectable drugs, clearing the infection and halting the spread.

Future research may explore targeting these proteins for developing non-hormonal male contraceptives, potentially broadening reproductive medicine.

Dr Sayers is now seeking funding to advance her research, aiming not only to reduce malaria transmission but also to explore its relevance to human fertility. Meanwhile, the broader implications for reproductive health offer exciting new possibilities.