Effects of ingested gossypol on the ultrastructure of rat ovarian follicles.

Ultrastructural changes were observed in the oocytes and granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles of sexually mature female rats treated daily for 60 days with gossypol acetic acid at a dosage known to induce sterility in male rats (20 mg/kg body weight, orally). The changes included an increased lysosomal population in the ooplasm and a reduced, poorly developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the granulosa cells. The latter changes suggest a suppression of the secretory activity of the granulosa cells.