65Zn incorporation in the male reproductive organs following gossypol treatment.

Acta Eur Fertil. 1990 Mar-Apr; 21(2):81-3.AE

Male hamsters and rats were administered gossypol 10 mg/kg/day for 45 and 56 days respectively. Twenty four hours before the last dose, animals were administered 65Zn (specific activity 0.258 uci/mg) subcutaneously. A marked decrease in 65Zn incorporation was observed in testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate following drug administration. A significant increase in 65Zn uptake was however observed in vas deferens in both rat and hamster following drug administration. Our results suggest that whatever the mechanism of gossypol action on testis-epididymis complex may be, the marked decrease in 65Zn uptake by testis--epididymis complex following gossypol treatment may be related to the antispermatogenic effect of gossypol.