Semen characteristics of gossypol-treated langurs (Presbytis entellus entellus Dufresne).

Gossypol isolated from cottonseed was fed to sexually adult male langurs at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 90 days. Semen was collected every 2 wk, and the observations made on semen characteristics showed gossypol's detrimental effect. The gossypol administration caused a significant decline in percent sperm cells motility and a significant rise in abnormalities. The semen characteristics returned to normal levels during a 180-day recovery period following the discontinuation of gossypol treatment. A clear relationship exists between the inhibition of sperm cell motility and dose as well as duration of gossypol treatment. The testicular biopsies taken from two langurs after 90 days of gossypol treatment showed normal histoarchitecture at both the dose levels.