This Cat Poop Parasite Is Decapitating Sperm—Is It Sabotaging Your Fertility?

Did you ever think your cat could be meddling in your baby-making plans? Sounds wild, right? But recent research is revealing a shocking and somewhat furry culprit behind some cases of male infertility: a parasite commonly spread by our beloved feline friends, Toxoplasma gondii.

If you’re on the path to parenthood — or just curious about what might be affecting sperm health — buckle up, because this story is as fascinating as it is unsettling.

Meet Toxoplasma gondii: The Unexpected Fertility Foe

You might’ve heard of Toxoplasma in passing. It’s a parasite that cats can spread, often through their feces. For most people, it causes mild or no symptoms. But new findings, highlighted in a recent Gizmodo article, indicate that Toxoplasma gondii can literally shred human sperm — a phenomenon researchers are calling “decapitation” — which is a cheeky way of saying it’s seriously damaging sperm integrity.

So why does this matter? Well, sperm health is a cornerstone of male fertility, and anything that reduces sperm quality or motility can significantly affect the chances of conception.

The Curious Case of Decapitated Sperm

Sperm