In the last decades, a light had been shed on the importance of male reproduction and how to protect it from disease conditions and inflammation that may cause infertility. Accordingly, the mechanism underlying inflammation-mediated infertility must be well clarified. In the present study, an experimental model of acute inflammation in mature male
albino rats was established by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of a single dose of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Consequently, basic reproductive parameters were estimated after LPS administration. Blood samples were collected and assayed for serum testosterone levels. Semen was also analyzed for live sperm percent. Testes were removed for histopathological evaluation. The findings revealed that testosterone levels in LPS-treated rats decreased significantly (P<0.05) compared to control rats at 6 and 12 hrs after injection. Meanwhile, serum testosterone recovered 72 hrs after injection. Moreover, live sperm percent decreased drastically in LPS-treated rats (P<0.001) compared with control rats at 6 and 12 hrs after LPS injection. Adverse effects of LPS on sperm vitality at 72 hrs after LPS injection were also found. Microscopic examination revealed that degenerative changes were observed in LPS-treated rats at 6 and 12 hrs. Most of histopathological
findings returned to normal structure in LPS-treated rats at 72 hrs.