Genotoxic effects of gossypol acetate on the ovary of Rhinopoma kinneari wroughton (Microchiroptera: Mammalia).

Female Rhinopoma kinneari, a microchiropteran bat (body weight Ca 15.0 gm to 20.0 gm), was used as a model to evaluate the effect of a single oral dose of 10 mg of gossypol acetate on the ovarian histology at day 2, 4, 6 and 8, respectively. Maximal damage to these organs was seen on day 2. The test drug induced widespread disturbance in the ovarian histoarchitecture as evidenced by an extensive degeneration of follicle types. Degenerative changes were marked by pycnosis, chromatolysis of nuclei, desquamation of granulosa cells and their subsequent dissolution. Intensity of protein staining was increased with time, indicating marked damage to ovarian constituents. It is suggested that gossypol may cause antifolliculogenic activity.