Effect of gossypol on immature male rats

In immature male rats the body growth rate, the testis and epididymis weight were not affected by gossypol treatment (4, 8 and 40 mg/kg body weight/24 hrs. for 30 days). There was however a marked reduction in the weight of the prostate after high dose gossypol administration. Furthermore gossypol treatment did not show any effect on the histoarchitecture of the testis nor did the drug treatment have any effect on sperm motility. The plasma levels of testosterone, LH and FSH in gossypol treated animals were no different from those on the controls.