In vitro effect of gossypol acetate on yellow perch (Perca flavescens) spermatozoa

Gossypol, a known antispermatogenic agent from the cotton plant genus Gossypium, was found to inhibit yellow perch sperm motility in vitro and lactate dehydrogenase activity in spermatozoa when used in a dose-dependent manner. This toxin also significantly decreased sperm fertilizing ability. Exposure of sperm suspension to a 200-µM concentration of gossypol caused sperm immobilization and a consequent lack of fertilization. Effects of gossypol on sperm motility and fertilizing ability were partially reversible when sperm suspensions were transferred to solutions without gossypol. This reversibility was proportional to the gossypol concentration. We observed a significant increase of abnormal embryos produced by the fertilization of spermatozoa pretreated with gossypol. This implies that gossypol could affect the sperm genome. The results indicate a usefulness for yellow perch sperm in studies of gossypol action mechanisms. Results of in vitro experiments suggest a potential for reproductive impairment in fish when using cottonseed-containing diets or organic fertilizers in yellow perch aquaculture. However, these observations should be confirmed in in vivo experiments with yellow perch and other species.