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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

T. A. Taha ,
W. F. Shaaban ,
A. R. El-Mahdy ,
F. D. El-Nouty  and
M. H. Salem
T. A. Taha*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
W. F. Shaaban
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
A. R. El-Mahdy
Affiliation:
Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
F. D. El-Nouty
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
M. H. Salem
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
*
†E-mail: TahaATaha@hotmail.com
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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8 weeks) where the animals were given the test materials, and a recovery period (second 8 weeks) where drugs were withdrawn.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 ( P<0·05) among animals that received gossypol, while rectal temperature increased ( P<0·05). Animals in gossypol treatment groups had decreased ( P<0·05) blood plasma levels of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and testosterone. This was accompanied by reductions ( P<0·05) in sperm concentration, total sperm output, percentage incidence of forward motility, total functional sperm fraction and semen initial fructose concentration. Gossypol however increased ( P<0·05) reaction time (i.e. decreased libido), percentages of dead sperm and abnormal sperm (AbSp) and altered acrosomes. Estimated weights of testes and semen ejaculate volume increased ( P<0·05) possibly due to increased water retention. Values of LW, RR, AbSp, and blood plasma T3 and testosterone returned to control levels after withdrawal of gossypol, while the effect of this drug on other parameters continued during the recovery period.

Keywords

gossypolrabbitssemen characterstestosteronetri-iodothyronine

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Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 82 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 259 - 269
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2006

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