Effect of gossypol on the concentration of sodium and potassium in the rat epididymis.

The effects of administration of gossypol acetic acid (7.5 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks) on the concentration of Na+ and K+ in the rat epididymis was assessed. Epididymal fluid samples, collected by micropuncture, from the caput, corpus, proximal cauda and distal cauda epididymis from gossypol-treated and control animals were analysed for Na+ and K+ concentrations. Gossypol-treated males failed to impregnate healthy females, presumably because their sperm were immotile. In gossypol-treated rats, Na+ levels decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) in the caput, corpus, proximal and distal cauda epididymis. In contrast, the K+ concentration was increased significantly (P less than 0.05) only in the caput and corpus epididymis. This altered electrolyte milieu may be responsible, to some extent, for immotility and hence infertility.