Sperm quality and hormonal levels in C57BL/6 mice infected with Neospora caninum

Abstract

Neospora caninum is a major pathogen of cattle and dogs, and neosporosis is widespread in five continents. In this study effect of experimental neosporosis on sperm quality of C57BL/6 mice in different days was investigated. Based on the results sperm concentration was not changed in infected groups but neosporosis induced a significant decrease in epididymis sperm motility at 60 days post infection. A significant increase in the number of abnormal sperms at five, 15, 30 and 60 days post infection was found. At days 15, 30 and 60 post infection testosterone concentrations were significantly low in infected groups and FSH level was significantly high in infected groups at five and 30 days post infection. LH level was decreased in infected groups, but the difference was significant at five, 15 and 30 days post infection. Comparison of TSH and T4 levels between groups revealed a significant decrease in infected groups at five, 15, 30 and 60 days post infection. Except 15 days post infection T3 levels decreased significantly in infected groups. GPX activity, MDA and TAC level was significantly increased in infected mice at five days post infection. In this study neosporosis is associated with hypogonadotrophic gonadal insufficiency in infected C57BL/6 male mice.