Samar Nagah El-Beshbishi, Soha Ibrahim Awad, Elham Farag Almeniar, Mona Younis Youssef, Nora Labeeb El-Tantawy, Amira Ibrahim Taman
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes latent infections in host tissues, including those of the central nervous system. In males, the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis controls reproductive function through a hormonal cascade. Disruption of this axis can impair spermatogenesis and lead to infertility. This study aimed to investigate the impact of chronic infection by T. gondii on the HPG axis in male rats, especially with respect to FSH, serum, and intratesticular testosterone (ITT) concentrations, via histopathological examination of the testes.
Methods
A total of 36 outbred male Wistar rats were included in this study (24 cases and 12 controls). The ME-49 strain of T. gondii was utilized to infect rats. At days 40, 50, and 60 following infections, the rats were euthanized, and the testes were obtained for histopathological examination. Serum and testicular tissue samples were investigated for FSH and testosterone serum levels, and the ITT concentration was measured.
Results
There was a statistically insignificant decrease in the serum testosterone level and the concentration of ITT at 40 and 50 days between the Toxoplasma-infected group and the control group; the difference was significant on day 60 (P < 0.05). At all specified time points, the Toxoplasma-infected rat group’s mean serum FSH concentration was substantially greater than that of the control group (P < 0.01). The Toxoplasma-infected groups presented abnormal histopathology findings in their testicular tissues.
Conclusion
Toxoplasmosis impacts the male hormones essential for spermatogenesis and disrupts testicular histology, indicating that chronic toxoplasmosis has a negative effect on the HPG axis and impacts male fertility.
期刊介绍：
Acta Parasitologica is an international journal covering the latest advances in the subject.
Acta Parasitologica publishes original papers on all aspects of parasitology and host-parasite relationships, including the latest discoveries in biochemical and molecular biology of parasites, their physiology, morphology, taxonomy and ecology, as well as original research papers on immunology, pathology, and epidemiology of parasitic diseases in the context of medical, veterinary and biological sciences. The journal also publishes short research notes, invited review articles, book reviews.
The journal was founded in 1953 as "Acta Parasitologica Polonica" by the Polish Parasitological Society and since 1954 has been published by W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. Since 1992 in has appeared as Acta Parasitologica in four issues per year.
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