Reproductive toxicological effects of gossypol on male rabbits: semen characteristics and hormonal levels

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two sublethal doses (4 and 20 mg/kg live weight (LW); every other day) of gossypol on semen and hormonal characteristics of male rabbits. The experiment lasted 16 weeks and included two periods: a treatment period (first 8 weeks) where the animals were given the test materials, and a recovery period (second 8 weeks) where drugs were withdrawn. Results showed that LW and respiration rate (RR) decreased ( PPP3) and testosterone. This was accompanied by reductions ( PPP3 and testosterone returned to control levels after withdrawal of gossypol, while the effect of this drug on other parameters continued during the recovery period.