Ever heard of a parasite that can ‘decapitate’ sperm? It sounds like a sci-fi horror movie plot, but nope, it’s a very real (and very surprising) discovery straight out of the latest fertility research. According to a recent eye-opening Gizmodo article titled This Cat Poop Parasite Can Decapitate Sperm—and It Might Be Fueling Infertility, the common parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which cats spread via their poo, could be a stealthy player in the growing puzzle of male infertility.

So what’s the deal with Toxoplasma gondii?

Let’s break it down. This microscopic parasite is best known for its role in toxoplasmosis, a disease that can be risky for pregnant women and their babies. But here’s the kicker: new research suggests that Toxoplasma gondii may literally shred human sperm—think of it as a microscopic saboteur tearing apart the very cells tasked with creating life.

If you’re scratching your head wondering how this happens, researchers found that the parasite can damage sperm tails, crippling their motility and effectively