Inhibition by (+) and (-) isomers of gossypol of testosterone release from mouse Leydig cells in vitro.
Racemic (+/-) mixtures of gossypol isomers exert an antifertility effect by inhibiting sperm motility and spermatogenesis. Purified (+) gossypol has been shown to be without these actions. In this study pure preparations of both (+) and (-) gossypol were found to inhibit, in a similar manner, both basal and LH-stimulated release of testosterone by isolated Leydig cells at concentrations down to 21 microM. It is possible that use of low doses of pure (-) gossypol could inhibit fertility with less endocrine side effects.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006072:Gossypol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D013739:Testosterone; D006072:Gossypol