Recovery of sertoli cells by Allium cepa in Toxoplasma gondii infected rats

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is globally widespread and it affects men and animals. We investigated the effect of allium cepa (onion juice) on sperm parameters, testestrone level in male rats was experimentally infected by T. gondii.Wistar male rats (n=40) were allocated into four groups: control group (n=10), T1 group that received tachyzoites of T. gondii (n=10), T2 group that received tachyzoites of T. gondii plus fresh onion juice 1cc per rat daily by gavages method (n=10), and T3 group which received fresh onion juice 1cc per rat daily by gavage method (n=10). 30 days after inducing toxoplasma, 5cc blood were collected for measuring testosterone. Testes tissues of rats in all groups were removed; then, they were prepared for sertoli cells analysis. Serum total testosterones and sertoli were  significantly decreased in groups that were infected with T. gondii, in comparison to control and onion groups. Moreover, comparing to control group (p<0.05), testes weights in toxoplasma group were drastically decreased. Since, in our study, T.gondii had grave effect on serum total testosterones, and because of applying fresh onion juice led to removing this harmful effect, it is suggested that eating of onion is useful in infected men.   Key words: Allium cepa, testes, testosterone,Toxoplasma gondii.