Ultrastructure of monkey (Macaca radiata) spermatozoa: effect of gossypol in vivo

The present study examines the ultrastructure of ejaculated spermatoza from bonnet monkey, Macaca radiata under normal conditions, with gossypol treatment and during recovery from such treatment. Monkeys were fed orally with gossypol acetic acid (GAA) for 3 months (4 mg/monkey/5 days a week). Semen samples collected by electro-ejaculation, and the spermatozoa were examined using both light and electron microscopy. The degree of motility was also noted by Kalla et al. Ejaculated spermatoza were immotile 90 days after GAA treatment, but little evidence for any abnormality in the spermatozoa could be seen by light microscopy. Some ultrastructural changes were observed, but not to the extent previously reported in spermatozoa of Macaca fascicularis. After termination of treatment, semen samples were obtained every 5th day until sperm count and motility recovered to the normal level. After 90 days only a small proportion of spermatozoa showed abnormal structure. We conclude that in a subhuman animal model gossypol induced effects on sperm motility and morphology are reversible.