Gossypol uncoupling of respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation in ejaculated boar spermatozoa.

Gossypol, a promising male contraceptive isolated from cottonseed oil, inhibits spermatozoal motility. This antimotility effect accompanies a biphasic change in the spermatozoal respiratory rate: a stimulation at low concentrations and an inhibition at high concentrations. With various respiratory inhibitors, gossypol was shown to take effect by the uncoupling of the respiratory chain and the oxidative phosphorylation. The implication of this uncoupling action in the strategy of producing an ideal gossypol-like male contraceptive is discussed.