Evaluation of Testosterone and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity Changes in Epidydimis of Toxoplasma gondii Infected Rats

Abstract

Objective: Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite that infects a broad range of warm blooded animals and humans. The present study was investigated to evaluate testosterone, alkaline phosphatase activity and malondialdehyde in male rats experimentally infected by Toxoplasma gondii, RH strain. Material & Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=20) were allocated into two groups, group one (n=10) that received 0.6 cc tachyzoites of T. gondii intraperitoneally (I.P.), and control group (n=10) that received nothing. Animals were kept in standard conditions. 30 days after inducing Toxoplasma infection, 5cc blood was collected for assessment of serum testosterone, alkaline phosphatase and malondialdehyde levels. Epididymis tissues of Rats in whole groups were removed and prepared for analysis. Results: Alkaline phosphatase, and Testosterone were significantly increased in group that was infected by T.gondii in comparison to control group (P 0.05). Epididymis weights in toxoplasmosis group was significantly decreased in comparison to control group (P<0.05). Positive brown alkaline phosphatase were observed in epididym tissue of infected toxoplasma group in comparison to control group. Conclusion: This study showed that T. gondii has augmenter effects on alkaline phosphatase activity, testosterone and has harmful effect on epididymis tissue. 1Department of Histopathology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. 2-Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. 3-Department of Veterinary Pathology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. 4Medicine Student , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran. Article History: Received April 2013 Accepted May 2013 Available online July 2013 Corresponding Author: Amir Mahdi Imani, Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. Tel: +989143105465 Email: imaniiie@gmail.com