STUDIES ON GOSSYPOL .1. TOXICITY, ANTI-FERTILITY, AND ENDOCRINE ANALYSES IN MALE-RATS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (4) , 213-218
Abstract
Toxicity, antifertility and endocrine effects of gossypol were studied in male rats. The animals grew nearly normally when administered a daily dose of 7.5 mg/kg orally for 12 wk. At 15 and 30 mg/kg per day doses growth rates were significantly reduced. Infertility occurred at all dose levels, but mating behavior was maintained throughout the period of treatment. Examination of the cauda epididymis after 6 wk at the 30-mg/kg per day dose and after 12 wk at the lower doses showed reductions in sperm numbers as compared with controls. All of the sperm from the groups receiving the 15- and 30-mg/kg per day doses were immotile; at the 7.5 mg/kg per days dose level most sperm were immotile. Many of the nonmotile sperm showed sharply bent tails or lacked tails. There was no significant change in the serum levels of testosterone, LH [luteinizing hormone] or FSH in animals receiving 7.5 and 15 mg/kg per day of gossypol for 12 wk. At a dose of 30 mg/kg per day for 6 wk, the serum testosterone and LH concentrations were significantly reduced. FSH concentrations remained normal in all groups. A group of 5 animals receiving 15 mg/kg per day were allowed a recovery period of 6 wk after 12 wk of therapy and they evidenced complete recovery of fertility.