فهیمه اشراقی ثمانی - Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
سلیمان خیری - Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
ابراهیم ساعدی دزاک - Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
فرهاد سیف - Department of Immunology and Allergy, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
کبری مختاریان - Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
مریم نعمتی دهکردی - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahrekord University of Medical Science, Shahrekord, Iran

Background and Aims: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most dangerous parasitic infections in immunocompromised patients. It may pass through the bloodstream to various organs, such as the reproductive organs of intermediate hosts, which may lead to male infertility. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between T. gondii infection and infertility in infertile men referred to the infertility center of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study,۱۲۹ men, including ۶۷ infertile and ۶۲ fertile men, participated, and specific anti-Toxoplasma antibodies of IgG and IgM were detected in the serum of all cases using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Also, the presence of T.gondii DNA in the seminal fluid samples of these people was detected using the polymerase chain reaction method. Sperm analyses, including sperm count, morphology, motility, and viscosity, were also performed on the seminal fluid. Results: Based on the result of the IgG antibody, a significant difference was found in toxoplasmosis in two fertile and infertile groups. Its frequency was ۱۶.۱% in the fertile group and ۴۰.۳% in the infertile group. Also, Toxoplasma infection showed a relationship with sperm count and sperm morphology, so its frequency was ۷۲.۷% in the low sperm group and ۲۴.۶% in the high sperm group. The results of IgM and polymerase chain reaction showed, there was no significant relationship between the fertile and infertile groups with toxoplasmosis. Conclusion: The serum prevalence of the anti-Toxoplasma antibodies and molecular detection in infertile men is higher than the control group, and it seems that Toxoplasma may be an effective risk factor for causing male infertility and disruption of sperm parameters.

Infertility, Men, PCR, Toxoplasma gondii