Effects of gossypol and cottonseed products on reproduction of mammals

Gossypol is a toxic factor indigenous to the cotton plant genus Gossypium. Concentrations of free gossypol contained in feedstuffs such as whole cottonseed and cottonseed meals vary considerably. Nonruminant animals are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of gossypol, whereas ruminants are somewhat more resistant. Signs of gossypol toxicosis in nonruminants, preruminants, and ruminants are similar and include labored breathing, dyspnea, decreased growth rate, and anorexia but are not pathognomonic. Postmortem findings include generalized edema and congestion of lungs and liver, fluid-filled thoracic and peritoneal cavities, and degeneration of heart fibers. The antifertility effect observed in many nonruminant species is overshadowed by toxic effects, particularly in females. Gossypol seems to disrupt estrous cycles, pregnancy, and early embryo development in females of all nonruminant species studied. Probable mechanisms include an endocrine effect on the ovary as well as a cytotoxic effect on the uterus or embryo. The female ruminant seems to be relatively insensitive to the antifertility effect of gossypol; however, in vitro data indicate some inhibition of embryonic development and ovarian steroidogenesis. The antifertility effect of gossypol has been studied most in males of nonruminant species. The effects of gossypol in the male are both dose- and time-dependent. At effective doses, gossypol causes males to be infertile because of sperm immotility and depressed sperm counts. Specific mitochondrial damage in the tails of spermatozoa seems to render them immotile, and extensive damage to germinal epithelium may be responsible for depressions in spermatogenesis. In ruminant males fed diets containing gossypol, ejaculated sperm appears normal under light microscopy. The integrity of the membrane of sperm cells may be damaged. Extensive damage to the germinal epithelium has been shown in both rams and bulls fed diets containing gossypol and is of major concern.

A review of toxicity factors in some food and feedingstuffs in the nutrition of man and livestock in Nigeria

A review of the toxicity factors in some food and feedingstuffs in the nutrition of man and livestock in Nigeria was conducted. The crops reviewed were cassava, cocoyam, guinea corn, cottonseed, soyabean, bambara, groundnut and cowpea. These crops provide cheap sources of carbohydrate and protein in the diets of humans and livestock. However, antinutritional factors inhibit their use. Antinutritional or toxic factors associated with them are reviewed and means of detoxifying them for human and livestock feeding are enumerated.

Pathological and toxicological studies of calves fed a high concentration cotton seed meal diet

Feeding a high concentration of cotton seed meal to young calves resulted in death with lesions compatible with gossypol toxicity. Calves were fed two different commercially prepared rations. Free gossypol concentrations in different lots of the 17% protein ration varied from 250 to 380 ppm, and the 13% protein ration varied from 40 to 240 ppm. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase elevation was the most consistent clinical pathological finding. The mean serum sorbitol dehydrogenase concentrations for moribund, hospitalized, and clinically healthy calves were 277, 34, and 45 units/liter. The mean for sorbitol dehydrogenase concentration for healthy calves not fed cotton seed meal was 18 units/liter. Gross lesions included severe effusion of a high protein content fluid into the body cavities of most calves, edema of the mesentery, and hepatomegaly. The most consistent histological lesion was severe centrilobular hepatic necrosis. Elevated levels of liver gossypol were demonstrated. The mean liver gossypol concentration for three calves was 41.7 micrograms/g on a wet weight basis.