The correlation between the gossypol contents in blood plasma, rete testis fluid, and cauda epididymal fluid following chronic treatment with gossypol in rats.

Concentrations of gossypol in blood plasma, rete testis fluid, and fluid from the caudia epididymidis were measured simultaneously by high performance liquid chromatography in rats treated with gossypol (15 mg/kg daily for 3 weeks). Antispermatogenic effects were demonstrated by loss of sperm motility in the cauda epididymidis and structural changes in the testis. It was found in these treated rats that concentrations of gossypol were lower in rete testis fluid compared with blood plasma but increased significantly in fluid from the cauda epididymidis. The results indicate a restriction of the blood-testis barrier to gossypol and its local concentration in the epididymis after fluid resorption.