Impact of Toxoplasma on Male Fertility: A Review

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite with a global distribution, infecting humans and animals alike. While much of the research on toxoplasmosis has focused on its effects in women, particularly congenital infections and pregnancy-related complications, emerging evidence indicates that T. gondii may also adversely affect male reproductive health. This review explores the epidemiology, life cycle, transmission, and clinical manifestations of toxoplasmosis, emphasizing its potential role in male infertility. Studies from various regions, including Iran, Egypt, India, China, and Brazil, report a higher prevalence of T. gondii infection among infertile men compared to fertile controls. The parasite can localize in the male reproductive system, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal disturbances that lead to reduced sperm count, poor motility, and abnormal morphology. Experimental studies further suggest that T. gondii can directly damage sperm cells, compromising their structural integrity. Additionally, chronic infection may alter testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels, affecting spermatogenesis. Globally, toxoplasmosis prevalence varies widely, from 16% in Asia to over 60% in Africa, influenced by climatic, environmental, and cultural factors. The growing body of evidence supports T. gondii as a contributing factor, though not the sole cause, of male infertility. Recognizing toxoplasmosis as a possible infectious determinant of reproductive dysfunction could improve diagnostic approaches and preventive strategies for unexplained infertility cases. Continued multidisciplinary research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms linking T. gondii infection and male reproductive impairment.