title: Effects of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Level of Serum Testosterone in Males with Chronic Toxoplasmosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects human and animals. Toxoplasma parasites are isolated from different parts of animals even from semen but there are little information about the effect of toxoplasmosis on fertility in animals and humans. In present study, the effect of chronic toxoplasmosis on serum levels of testosterone in men was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, 1026 men referred to Arak Post Marriage Center were selected. Three ml of blood samples were collected and sera separated by centrifugation at room temperature. These sera were analyzed for detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody. Next 365 positive sera were selected as cases and also the same number of negative sera (365) as controls. Finally the level of testosterone was analyzed for the cases and controls samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serological tests on the sera of 1,026 men in Arak City showed that 365 of them had anti-Toxoplasma antibody. Comparison of testosterone concentration in case and control groups showed that testosterone concentration in case group was less than control group and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The chronic toxoplasmosis could affect reproductive parameters in men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Eslamirad
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hajihossein
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ghorbanzadeh
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Khomein, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alimohammadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mosayebi
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Didehdar
keywords: Human; Male; Testosterone; Toxoplasma gondii