An ultrastructural study of the effects of gossypol on the endometrium of the female rat

Response of adult murine uterine epithelium to 50% methoxychlor

This study was designed to assess the response of uterine epithelia of adult mice to a 4-week exposure of 50% methoxychlor (MXC) to ascertain whether significant changes were induced by 50% MXC that might compromise future implantation. Sexually mature virgin female mice were exposed to 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 mg MXC via oral gavage for 5 consecutive days for 4 weeks. Controls received either sesame oil or 25 micrograms estradiol-17 beta (E-17 beta) also by gavage. At sacrifice, segments from each uterine horn were prepared for morphometric studies or for transmission electron microscopy. Results revealed a dose-dependent increase in the heights of uterine epithelial cells. Epithelial cell heights of the two groups treated with the highest doses of the pesticide were similar to that of the E-17 beta-treated group. Electron microscopy revealed increased vacuolization and swelling of mitochondria in cells of the 2.5 and 5.0 mg treated groups when compared to either of the control groups. In addition, there were effects on the number and size of microvilli in the uterine epithelial cells. The present study clearly demonstrates that a 4-week exposure of adult female mice to 50% MXC elicits significant estrogenic and toxic effects on the uterine epithelium.

Effects of gossypol on the hepatic drug metabolizing system in rats

Gossypol, a polyphenolic pigment found in cotton plants, has been implicated as an antifertility agent. This pigment has been shown to alter myriad metabolic pathways. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of gossypol acetic acid on the hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme system in adult female Fisher 344 rats. Subcutaneous administration in both low (15 mg/kg) and high (30 mg/kg) doses of gossypol acetic acid for five consecutive days significantly (P less than 0.00001) reduced hepatic aniline hydroxylase activity, as well as cytochrome P-450 and b5 levels. Thus, compared to the controls, the low doses of gossypol decreased the hepatic aniline hydroxylase activity and cytochrome P-450 and b5 content by 73, 54, and 43 percent, respectively. The high doses of gossypol decreased the aniline hydroxylase, cytochrome P-450, and b5 levels by 60, 51, and 46 percent, respectively, as compared to controls. These data indicate that alteration of the hepatic metabolizing system may, in part, be responsible for the secondary toxemic effects seen when gossypol is used to provide antifertility action.