Study the Effect of Chronic Toxoplasmosis on Serum Testosterone Level in Men

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoon which infects both human and animals.
T. gondii parasitize in different organs even in testes and it was isolated from semen. The level of testosterone
in the serum was evaluated for men with chronic toxoplasmosis.
One hundred twenty-one blood samples were collected from apparently healthy men with different age
groups they were attending the teaching hospital in Al-Diwaniyah province. Three milliliters of blood was
drawn from each man, and then sera were separated by centrifugation. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody was
detected. Same numbers of positive and negative sera were included in cases and controls groups respectively,
and then the quantitative determination of testosterone was analyzed in the serum of both groups.
Thirty eight (31.4%) out of 121 examined serum samples were given positive results for T.gondii IgG
antibodies. The concentration of testosterone, in case group was relatively more than in the control group
with no statistical differences (p>0.05). According to age, the comparison of testosterone in two groups
appeared that testosterone level in 15-29 age in case group was with significant differences (P<0.05).
From the current study we concluded that the infection with T.gondii can affect the serum testosterone level
in men.