Gossypol-induced modifications in the microenvironment of rat epididymal spermatozoa.
Gossypol acetic acid (20, 25 or 30 mg/kg/day orally for 5 weeks) decreased epididymal weight in adult Sprague-Dawley rats but the epididymal concentrations of proteins, lactate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase were unchanged. The concentrations of carnitine, inositol and potassium in epididymal fluid were decreased in a dose-related manner. These modifications were not due to disturbances of Leydig and Sertoli cell functions which were normal. We suggest that the reduction in epididymal secretion results from a decrease in the number of spermatozoa rather than from a direct action of gossypol on the epididymal epithelium.
Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire, Faculté de Médecine de Paris-Sud, Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
J C
JC
Soufir
C
C
Radigue
M C
MC
Dantec
D
D
Garnier
B
B
Jegou
D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000032:analysis; D004822:Epididymis / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006072:Gossypol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
D006072:Gossypol