The possible synergistic effect of gossypol (cottonseed oil)‎ and schistosomiasis mansoni on the male reproductive organs in experimentally infected mice

Abstract EN

Background / Aim : Gossypol is considered as the major toxic ingredient in the cotton plant which affects the male fertility in countries where crude cottonseed oil is used extensively for cooking as in Egypt.

In rural areas in Egypt, there is a common association between schistosomal infection that can affect the male genital organs and gossypol intake through increased consumption of cottonseed oil.

Whether this synergism plays a role in enhancing male infertility or not, is a matter that needs evaluation.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the possible synergistic effect of gossypol as one of food pollutants and schistosomiasis mansion on the male reproductive organs in experimental animal.

arterials and methods : One hundred and thirty laboratories bred, parasite free, male Swiss albino mice were used in the current study.

Mice were classified into 4 groups : Group (I) : consisted of 40 mice which remained none infected but received gossypol orally for 4 weeks.

Group (II) : consisted of 40 mice which were infected with Schist soma mansion and did not receive gossypol.

Group (III) : consisted of 40 mice which were infected and received gossypol orally for 4 weeks starting from the 8th week post Schist soma infection.

Group (IV): consisted of 10 mice which were none infected and did not receive gossypol.

Mice were sacrificed at different durations after gossypol intake and post infection whereas control mice were sacrificed at one time.

The testis and the epididymis were removed from each animal and their weights were recorded.

They were processed for histopathologically and immunohistochemical examination as well as electron microscopically examination.

Results : there were histopathologically changes in testicular sections of group (I) starting from the 2nd week after gossypol intake which became marked later on with depletion of germ cells and spermatozoa in testis and caudal epididymis.

Regarding group (II), the pathological changes were rather mild.

In group (III), the pathological changes appeared at the 10th week p.

i.

as spermatogenesis was arrested with a marked reduction in the number of mature spermatozoa.

Some seminiferous tubules showed degenerative changes of the germinal epithelium, such as vacuolization, disruption, and even severe destruction.

In both S.

mansion infected groups (Gp.

II &III), neither ova nor granulomata were detected in all examined histopathologically sections while the immunohistochemical staining showed positive deposition of S.

mansion antigen in the testes and epididymis.

In addition, electron microscopically examination showed similar results at the ultra-structural level.