The effect of the male contraceptive agent Gossypol on human lymphocytes in vitro: traditional chromosome breakage, micronuclei, sister chromatid exchange, and cell kinetics.

Abstract

The male antifertility agent Gossypol did not affect the level of traditional chromosome breakage or number of micronuclei in 66-hour lymphocyte cultures at concentrations up to 40 micrograms/ml. It did increase the frequency of SCE slightly, although the inter-individual variation was greater than the increase resulting from Gossypol, and, even at the highest concentration (40 micrograms/ml), the SCE rate was still within the normal range. It also affected cell kinetics, reducing the mitotic index and the proportion of second and third metaphases after BUdR incorporation.