Studies on the Male Antifertility Agent - Gossypol Acetic Acid. III. Effect of Gossypol Acetic Acid on Rat Testis

Abstract

Gossypol acetic acid at the dose of 5 mg/rat per day for 2 and 4 wk did not cause any significant effect on the body wight, testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate weight, nor did gossypol treatment have any significant effect on the activities of acid phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase in the testis. Changes in the testis ATPase activity were significant after gossypol treatment. No effect of gossypol treatment on 3H thymidine incorporation into DNA of testicular cells was observed, nor were there any changes in the DNA and total protein content of the testis after gossypol treatment. Gossypol treatment did not cause any effect on the plasma Na+ level. Transient decrease in plasma K+ level was observed; decrease in K+ level 2 wk after gossypol treatment was restored to normal after 4 wk of gossypol treatment. No changes in the histology of the testis were observed 2 wk after gossypol treatment but marked inhibition of spermatogenesis was observed 4 wk after gossypol treatment. Motility of vas deferens spermatozoa was also markedly inhibited 4 wk after gossypol treatment. Gossypol apparently acts directly on the spermatozoa and on the testis; at both sites the drug interferes in the ATPase activity.