Effect of gossypol on the concentration of sodium and potassium in the rat epididymis.
The effects of administration of gossypol acetic acid (7.5 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks) on the concentration of Na+ and K+ in the rat epididymis was assessed. Epididymal fluid samples, collected by micropuncture, from the caput, corpus, proximal cauda and distal cauda epididymis from gossypol-treated and control animals were analysed for Na+ and K+ concentrations. Gossypol-treated males failed to impregnate healthy females, presumably because their sperm were immotile. In gossypol-treated rats, Na+ levels decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) in the caput, corpus, proximal and distal cauda epididymis. In contrast, the K+ concentration was increased significantly (P less than 0.05) only in the caput and corpus epididymis. This altered electrolyte milieu may be responsible, to some extent, for immotility and hence infertility.
Kaur
S
S
Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, India.
D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006072:Gossypol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013081:Sperm Motility
D012964:Sodium; D006072:Gossypol; D011188:Potassium