Gossypol-induced modifications in the microenvironment of rat epididymal spermatozoa.

Gossypol acetic acid (20, 25 or 30 mg/kg/day orally for 5 weeks) decreased epididymal weight in adult Sprague-Dawley rats but the epididymal concentrations of proteins, lactate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase were unchanged. The concentrations of carnitine, inositol and potassium in epididymal fluid were decreased in a dose-related manner. These modifications were not due to disturbances of Leydig and Sertoli cell functions which were normal. We suggest that the reduction in epididymal secretion results from a decrease in the number of spermatozoa rather than from a direct action of gossypol on the epididymal epithelium.