Fig 11. Model of seminal shedding of ZIKV.

Tissue ISH suggests that the testes and epididymides are infected concurrently by trafficking leukocytes containing ZIKV. Once leukocytes transport ZIKV to the testis, peritubular myoid cells are the first cell type to become infected, and then the infection spreads to the seminiferous epithelium. In the epididymis, infected epididymal epithelial cells produce viral particles, which then spread intraluminally throughout the epididymis. Cell-free (and cell-associated virus) is ejaculated.