Toxoplasma gondii and male reproduction impairment: A new aspect of toxoplasmosis research
Dalimi A, Abdoli A.
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology 2013; 6.
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Introduction: Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most important pathogen that has adverse effect on reproductive function.
Evidence Acquisition: Recent studies revealed that infection with T. gondii not only affect female reproduction, also cause male reproductive impairment. In clinical studies, high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in sterile men has been reported. In animal models, toxoplasmosis is associated with male reproductive impairment. Moreover, there are some evidences about venereal transmission of T. gondii. Drugs used for treatment of toxoplasmosis may cause adverse effects on male reproductive function.
Results: In present article, effect of Toxoplasma infection on male reproductive system of human and animal was reviewed. There are several reports expressing association between Toxoplasmosis and male genital tract impairment in both human and animals.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that T. gondii infection can cause temporary impairment on the reproductive parameters of human or animal male as well as impairment of different hormones which may cause insufficient male reproductivity.