Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is globally widespread and infects man and animals; we investigated effect of Allium cepa on sperm parameters, testestrone level in male rats experimentally infected by toxoplasma. Wistar male rats (n=40) were allocated into four groups, control group (n=10) and T₁ group that received tachyzoites of T. gondii (IP) (n=10), and T₂ group that received tachyzoites of T. gondii (IP), plus fresh onion juice 1 cc per rat daily by gavages method (n=10), and group of onion juice which received fresh onion juice 1 cc per rat daily by gavages method (n=10). Animals were kept in standard condition. In 30 day after inducing toxoplasma, 5 cc blood was collected for testosterone and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels; testes tissues of rat in whole groups were removed and then prepared for analysis. Serum total testosterones and sperm parameters were significantly decreased in groups that were infected with T. gondii, in comparison to control and onions groups. Testes weights in toxoplasma group significantly decreased in comparison to control group (P<0.05). Since in our study, T. gondii have significant effect on sperm parameters and serum total testosterones, and since fresh onion juice was used to treat this harmful effect, it is suggested that eating of onion is useful in infected man.

Key words: Allium cepa, testes, testosterone, Toxoplasma gondii.