ABSTRACT
12 kinds of histochemical methods were adopted to evaluate the effects of gossypol optical isomers on the reproductive system of Wistar rats, following the administration of (?) and (+)-gossypol at a dosage of 30mg/kg daily, and(-)-gossypol at a dosage of 15 mg/kg daily, respectively for 2 or 3 weeks. (+)-gossypol has no an tifertility activity. (?) and (-)-gossypol caused kinetic disorder of spermatogemsis, and inhibited turnover of nuclear basic protein of the late, elongated spermatids in the testis. No changes in G6PDH and 30-HSDH histochmical reaction in Leydig cells, and ALP in the basement membrane of epididymis were observable reflecting that gossypol has no effect on synthesis and secretion of testosterone. Spermatozoa in the epididymis of rats treated with (?) and (-)-gossypol exhibited head and tail separation. The formazan deposits of reaction of LDH, LDH-X, MDH and ICDH located in sperm mitochondria appeared to become coarse and to reduce in quantity after (?) and (-)-gossypol treatment.