The Impact of Chronic Toxoplasmosis on the Gonadotropic Gonadal Axis in Male Rats

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.

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.

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.

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.