Background: Toll like receptors (TLRs) recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) derived from various microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses as well as endogenous ligands associated with cell damage. TLRs which are trans-membrane proteins are now known to act in innate immune response and in endogenous inflammation. TLRs members of the innate immune system, may also be involved in the pathogenesis of infertility. Objectives: We hypothesized that hyperglicemia is accompanied by enhanced TLR2 and TLR4 expression and activity in Testis. Thus presumably TLR2 and TLR4 will be upregulated significantly in testis in hyperglysemic condition. The degree of inflammation might contribute to the occurrence and development of sterility at hyperglycemia. Materials and Methods: Hyperglycemia was induced in male wistar rats with intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin. In different time points ( 4, 6, 8 and 16 weeks) post diabetes type 1 induction, rats were euthanized and testis tissue was removed for further analysis. After RNA extraction, cDNA was synthesized using oligo-dT primers. Exon specific TLR2 & TLR4 primers were used to amplify TLR2 & TLR4 cDNA. After performing RT-PCR, the expression level of TLR2 & TLR4 mRNA was quantified by real time quatitative PCR (qPCR). Results: Expression level of TLR2 & TLR4 as quantified by qPCR and statistically analyzed by one way ANOVA method showed differential pattern of expression among different groups of treated and control rats. Conclusions: Increased understanding of these molecules may provide insight into site-specific immunoregulatory mechanisms in the male reproductive tract. Enhanced TLR2 and TLR4 expressions might be linked to the development and maintenance of pathogenic conditions in testis.

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