Differential effects of (+)- and (-)-gossypol enantiomers on LDH-C4 activity of hamster spermatogenic epithelium in vitro.
Tubular fragments (spermatogenic epithelium) from immature hamsters were isolated and cultured with low doses of (+)- and (-)-gossypol enantiomers. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme LDH-C4 was estimated as a marker for spermatogenic cell development and alpha-ketoisovalerate was used as the substrate. In the absence of gossypol, the specific activity of LDH-C4 in the tubular fragments was increased 40% during incubation for 48 h. This developmental increase was suppressed by gossypol. The specific activity of LDH-C4 in the tubular fragments was lowered by gossypol, after 48 h of culture in the presence of low doses of racemic gossypol (1-4 microM) and 1% fetal calf serum. In this in-vitro system the (-)-enantiomer but not the (+)-enantiomer of gossypol affected the LDH-C4 activity. This is in agreement with other reports showing that only the (-)-enantiomer induces infertility. The observed action of gossypol on LDH-C4 activity in the tubular fragments may reflect gossypol-induced degeneration of spermatogenic cells. The present in-vitro system can be used to estimate the actions of gossypol derivatives, other investigational antifertility agents, and toxic agents on the spermatogenic epithelium.
Den Boer
P J
PJ
Department of Biochemistry II, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Grootegoed
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D006072:Gossypol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007527:Isoenzymes; D007536:Isomerism; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D006072:Gossypol