Cottonseed oil gossypol

The concept of torsional asymmetry is not jnst an interesting abstract idea. Some years ago, fertility in some Chinese rnral commnnities was found to be below normal levels, and this was traced back to the presence of gossypol in dietary cottonseed oil. Gossypol acts as a male contraceptive, altering sperm matnration, spermatozoid motility, and inactivation of sperm enzymes necessary for fertilization. Extensive trials in China have shown the antifertility effect is reversible after stopping the treatment, and it has potential, therefore, as a contraceptive for men. 

The one product obtained from cottonseed oil, Gossypol which is categorized as non-hormonal selective spermatogenesis suppressant, is effective in producing azoospermia or severe oligospermia but it is not widely used as male contraceptive. Mechanism of action is not known. Adverse effects are edema, diarrhoea, hypokalemia, neuritis. 

Politzer, W. M. (2008). Long-term clinical remission of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia using alternative treatment option Cottonseed oil (gossypol). Phytomedicine 15, 563-565. 

C-1. By oxidation with oxygen or with ferric ions, the correspond- The reaction of gossypol with proteins has been used to ing 0- and p-naphthoquinones arise, which mutually polymerise detoxify cottonseed oil. Gossypol in milled seeds reacts with seed... 

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