In vitro effect of gossypol acetate on yellow perch (Perca flavescens) spermatozoa

Gossypol, a known antispermatogenic agent from the cotton plant genus Gossy pium, was found to inhibit yellow perch sperm motility in vitro and lactate dehydrogenase activity in spermatozoa when used in a dose-dependent manner . This toxin also significantly decreased sperm fertilizing ability. Exposu re of sperm suspension to a 200-mu M concentration of gossypol caused sperm immobilization and a consequent lack of fertilization. Effects of gossypol on sperm motility and fertilizing ability were partially reversible when s perm suspensions were transferred to solutions without gossypol. This rever sibility was proportional to the gossypol concentration. We observed a sign ificant increase of abnormal embryos produced by the fertilization of sperm atozoa pretreated with gossypol. This implies that gossypol could affect th e sperm genome. The results indicate a usefulness for yellow perch sperm in studies of gossypol action mechanisms. Results of in vitro experiments sug gest a potential for reproductive impairment in fish when using cottonseed- containing diets or organic fertilizers in yellow perch aquaculture. Howeve r, these observations should be confirmed in in vivo experiments with yello w perch and other species. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.