Effects of dietary gossypol concentration on growth performance, blood profiles, and hepatic histopathology in meat ducks.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of gossypol from cottonseed meal (CSM) on growth performance, blood biochemical profiles, and liver histopathology of ducks. A total of 900 1-d-old ducks were randomly allocated to 5 treatments with 12 pens/treatment and 15 ducks/pen. The 5 experimental diets were formulated in such a way that 0% (a corn-soybean meal basal diet, diet 1), 25% (diet 2), 50% (diet 3), 75% (diet 4), and 100% (diet 5) of protein from soybean meal were replaced with that from CSM. All diets were formulated on a digestible amino acid basis. The experiment included 2 phases, the starter phase (1 to 3 wk) where the test diets contained graded levels of CSM and the growth phase (4 to 5 wk) where birds were fed a corn-soybean basal diet to examine the recovery of ducks after CSM withdrawal. Dietary CSM and gossypol linearly (P < 0.01) and quadratically (P < 0.01) decreased ADG and ADFI during d 1 to 14. The threshold of daily total gossypol (TG) and free gossypol (FG) intake based on ADG on d 1 to 7 and d 7 to 14 were 32.20 and 2.64 mg/d, and 92.12 and 9.62 mg/d, respectively. Serum alanine aminotransferase increased (P < 0.05) linearly with increasing level of gossypol in the diets (d 7), whereas aspartate aminotransferase increased (P < 0.05) linearly and quadratically (d 14). Serum albumin concentration decreased (P < 0.05) quadratically with increasing dietary CSM concentrations on d 21. The degree of damage to the liver increased markedly with increasing dietary CSM and gossypol content and the length of CSM and gossypol intake. On d 35, there was no difference on BW and blood profiles of ducks among all treatments. These results suggest that meat ducks' dietary TG and FG concentration should be lower than 928.9 and 77.2 mg/kg, respectively, during d 1 to 21 of age and that a 2-wk withdrawal of diets containing gossypol should be considered.

Dietary intake of cottonseed toxins is hypothesized to be a partial cause of Alzheimer's disorder.

The cause of Alzheimer's disorder is not known. The most influential known risk factor is increasing age. The risk factor of increasing age is consistent with exposure to environmental toxins throughout life as a cause of Alzheimer's. In addition, microbleeding, changes in membrane permeability and increased cholesterol are all factors important in Alzheimer's. Cottonseed contains toxins and is fed to animals, fish and poultry. Cottonseed toxins remain in the animals, fish and poultry and are present in the human diet at seemingly low levels. The average person is ingesting cottonseed toxins throughout life. Cottonseed toxins cause bleeding, changes in membrane permeability and increased cholesterol. In addition, the cottonseed toxin gossypol is known to reach the brain and bind randomly to important cellular structures. Gossypol also binds to microtubules and interferes with microtubule assembly, which may inhibit binding of tau to microtubules and lead to formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Cottonseed toxins are also known to accumulate in the body. In a preliminary study of female rats fed low level cottonseed for their lifetimes, apparent neurofibrillary tangles and phosphorylated tau were found. The intake of cottonseed toxins throughout life should be evaluated further as a possible cause of Alzheimer's.

In vitro gossypol induced spermatozoa motility alterations in rabbits.

The objectives of the present study were to: (i) examine the in vitro dose response of rabbit spermatozoa motility to the antifertility agent gossypol (GOS) and (ii) determine whether filtered (FIL) and unfiltered (UNFIL) GOS differ in their magnitude of effect. Rabbit semen belonging to adult males (n = 5; 12-14 months) were cultured with UNFIL GOS and FIL GOS (5% solution) and subsequently diluted (1:1-7) for analysis using a Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer (CASA) system in 5 time periods (0, 60, 120, 180 and 360 minutes). At Time 0, no significant change in rabbit spermatozoa motility (MOT) and progressive motility (PROG) with GOS FIL was noted, while increases were observed with GOS UNFIL. At Time 60, weak changes were noted for MOT and PROG. After 120 minutes of culture with both GOS FIL and GOS UNFIL, MOT and PROG decreased significantly in some experimental groups. However, no differences were recorded for both the parameters at Times 180 and 360, with the exception of PROG in the GOS UNFIL category (groups A, B, E, F and G), where a significant decrease was noticed. Detailed evaluation of the distance and velocity parameters revealed reduction in all these studied markers after 60 and 120 minutes of in vitro culture with both GOS FIL and GOS UNFIL, indirectly confirming the PROG decrease. Straightness (STR), linearity (LIN), wobble (WOB), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat cross frequency (BCF) mostly remained unaltered at all time periods for GOS FIL, where as some minor alterations were noticed in GOS UNFIL category for STR, LIN, WOB, ALH and BCF parameters at Time 0, 60 and 120. The present study confirms the dose and time dependent alterations of rabbit spermatozoa motility parameters by GOS. The GOS dynamics in our experiment shows that rabbit spermatozoa as a biological material can indicate a GOS inhibition of motility. Obtained data for the first time indicates a higher immobilizing potential of unfiltered GOS in comparison to filtered GOS in its inhibitory action of spermatozoa motility parameters in rabbits.

Evaluation of the safety and nutritional equivalence of a genetically modified cottonseed meal in a 90-day dietary toxicity study in rats.

Meal prepared from Cry1F/Cry1Ac transgenic/genetically modified cottonseed (WIDESTRIKE Insect Protection, hereafter referred to as WIDESTRIKE) was compared to cottonseed meal prepared from four conventionally bred lines of cotton (three commercial non-transgenic line controls (PHY72, PHY78 and 98M-2983), and a near isoline non-transgenic control (PSC355) in a 90-day dietary study to evaluate safety and nutritional equivalence. Diets were formulated with 10% WIDESTRIKE cottonseed meal equivalent to 7,235 mg/kg/day for males and 7,935 mg/kg/day for females. Animals were evaluated by cage-side and hand-held detailed clinical observations, body weight, and feed consumption. Functional tests, motor activity and ophthalmic examinations were conducted pre-exposure and prior to study termination. Standard hematology, clinical chemistry, prothrombin time and urinalysis parameters were evaluated. All rats had a complete necropsy and selected organs were weighed. Histopathologic examinations were performed on all rats fed the diets containing the near isoline non-transgenic control or WIDESTRIKE. Following 90 days of feeding, no adverse effects were observed during the conduct of clinical observations or in any of the parameters measured in this study. This study demonstrated that rodent diets prepared with 10% cottonseed meal from WIDESTRIKE cottonseeds do not produce any untoward effects and are nutritionally equivalent to cottonseed meals prepared from other, non-transgenic cottonseeds.

Across-shift lung function variation in cottonseed oil workers.

BACKGROUND: The effects of cotton dust on pulmonary function among workers employed in cotton-spinning mills are well known. However, little data exist on the prevalence of this disorder in 'non-textile' cotton industries, including cottonseed oil mills, where high levels of exposure to dust have been demonstrated. AIMS: This study was performed in order to determine the across-shift and across-week decline of FEV(1) and respiratory symptoms among workers in a cottonseed oil mill. METHODS: Sixty-six exposed and 48 unexposed workers of a cottonseed oil mill in Turkey were investigated by questionnaire and lung function test (LFT). LFTs were performed before and after shift on all the working days of the week. Acute airway response was defined as an across-shift decline in FEV(1) of 5% or more on the first working day. RESULTS: Smoking was the only risk factor for having respiratory symptoms. Acute airway response was more frequently observed in the exposed group as compared to the unexposed group (OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 2.3-16.7). The median across-shift decline in FEV(1) on the first day (120 ml) significantly improved on the following days (10, 50, 60 and -30 ml). CONCLUSION: Smoking appears to be the main risk factor for having respiratory symptoms. Cottonseed dust may cause an acute pulmonary function decline on the first working day, but not on the following days of the week. This decline is associated with respiratory symptoms in exposed workers.

Final report on the safety assessment of Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Cottonseed (Gossypium) Oil, Cottonseed Acid, Cottonseed Glyceride, and Hydrogenated Cottonseed Glyceride.

Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Cottonseed (Gossypium) Oil, Cottonseed Acid, Cottonseed Glyceride, and Hydrogenated Cottonseed Glyceride are cosmetic ingredients derived from Cottonseed Oil and used as skin-conditioning agents and surfactants. Nonoils known to be toxic that may be found in cottonseed oils include gossypol, aflatoxin, and cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA). Toxic heavy metal and/or polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) or other pesticide contamination is also possible. Cottonseed Oil was nontoxic in acute oral toxicity studies in rats. In a short-term study, rabbits that had been fed 2% Cottonseed Oil for 7 weeks had significantly lower blood chemistry parameters (compared to wheat bran controls) and significantly more stored hepatic vitamin A (compared to rabbits fed other fats). Cottonseed Oil controls used as vehicles in two parenteral studies produced negative results. Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil tested in formulation did not produce dermal or ocular irritation in rabbits. An oral-dose reproductive study tested up to 30% Cottonseed Oil (with 1% CPFAs) and reported no adverse effects on sexual maturity and reproductive performance of the F0 generation; changes were noted in the F1 generation but reproductive capacity was not altered. Parenteral-dose reproductive studies reported no adverse effects. Cottonseed Oil was not mutagenic. Cottonseed Oil did not induce aberrant crypt foci when given orally to mice, but in other studies, it increased the incidence of spontaneous mammary tumors in rats and mice. Mice fed 20% Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil during induction and promotion of photocarcinogenesis had significantly lower tumor incidence compared to mice fed 20% sunflower oil. Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil in formulation (up to approximately 21%) was neither an irritant nor sensitizer in clinical studies. Limited clinical data indicated that Cottonseed Oil does not contain allergic protein. Based on the available data, it was concluded that these ingredients may be used safely in cosmetic formulations if established limits on gossypol, heavy metals, and pesticide concentrations are not exceeded.

Cottonseed with a high (+)- to (-)-gossypol enantiomer ratio favorable to broiler production.

This study was designed to evaluate the relative toxicity of (+)- and (-)-gossypol enantiomers in 0-3-week-old broilers. Treatments consisted of broiler starter diets formulated with either a glandless, which did not contain gossypol, a commercial glanded [62. 2% (+)-gossypol], or a glanded moco [83.2% (+)-gossypol] crushed cottonseed (CCS) (six replicates/treatment) plus a soybean meal negative control. Glandless cottonseed was mixed with the moco cottonseed (2.4% free gossypol) so that both the commercial glanded and moco glanded cottonseeds contained equivalent concentrations of free gossypol (2.0%). The cottonseed treatments were added at 5 and 10% of the diet. Body weights and feed conversions were determined weekly. Body weights and feed-to-gain ratios of broilers fed 5 and 10% glandless CCS and 5% moco CCS were not significantly different. Broilers receiving 10% commercial glanded CCS weighed significantly less than those subjected to all other treatments. Feed-to-gain ratios were significantly higher for broilers receiving 10% commercial glanded and 10% moco CCS as compared to 5% moco and glandless CCS, 10% glandless CCS, and control. Relative liver weights of birds receiving 10% moco CCS were significantly less than those of birds receiving 10% commercial CCS. The data clearly showed that broilers fed moco CCS containing a relatively high (+)- to (-)-gossypol enantiomer ratio performed better than broilers receiving commercial CCS with a lower (+)- to (-)-gossypol enantiomer ratio.

Variability among atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains in ability to prevent aflatoxin contamination and production of aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway enzymes.

Five strains of Aspergillus flavus lacking the ability to produce aflatoxins were examined in greenhouse tests for the ability to prevent a toxigenic strain from contaminating developing cottonseed with aflatoxins. All atoxigenic strains reduced contamination when inoculated into developing bolls 24 h prior to the toxigenic strain. However, only one strain, AF36, was highly effective when inoculated simultaneously with the toxigenic strain. All five strains were able to inhibit aflatoxin production by the toxigenic strain in liquid fermentation. Thus, in vitro activity did not predict the ability of an atoxigenic strain to prevent contamination of developing bolls. Therefore, strain selection for competitive exclusion to prevent aflatoxin contamination should include evaluation of efficacy in developing crops prior to field release. Atoxigenic strains were also characterized by the ability to convert several aflatoxin precursors into aflatoxin B1. Four atoxigenic strains failed to convert any of the aflatoxin biosynthetic precursors to aflatoxins. However, the strain (AF36) most effective in preventing aflatoxin contamination in developing bolls converted all tested precursors into aflatoxin B1, indicating that this strain made enzymes in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway.

Sensitivity of chick embryo to various solvents used in egg injection studies.

Two experiments were conducted to study the sensitivity of developing chicken embryos to various solvents used as vehicles and their effect on hatchability. No significant differences on embryonic mortality were observed between the sham-injected control and corn oil-injected groups. Acetone, ethylene glycol, and ethanol (0.10 ml/egg) significantly reduced the percentage hatchability and showed a high embryonic mortality during the first week of incubation. Levels of cottonseed oil (0.05-0.10 ml) and propylene glycol (0.05-0.15 ml) were well tolerated by the developing embryo but were slightly inferior to corn oil. Levels of 0.05-0.15 ml of corn oil are suitable vehicles for fat soluble compounds in studies involving the injection of eggs. Higher levels of solvent can be injected at later incubation periods. The choice of the best solvent must be made depending upon (1) solubility of test material, (2) amount of test material needed, (3) toxicity of the solvent at the appropriate levels, (4) route of administration, and (5) stage of development.

Detoxification and nutritional evaluation of solvent extracted Egyptian cottonseed meal.

Attempts for degossypolization of the solvent extracted Egyptian cottonseed meal (CSM) and evaluation of its nutritional value as a possible protein supplement for human feeding were undertaken. Three methods were applied for degossypolization: Steaming, addition of iron(II)-sulphate dihydrate, and steaming after addition of iron(II)-sulphate dihydrate. Steaming was done for varying periods of time. Nutritional evaluation was undertaken by chemical analysis and by feeding experiments. Chemically, the third method for degossypolization was the most effective. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency for diets containing 15 and 10% levels of CSM protein indicated that all treatments used for detoxification caused a decrease in diet and protein quality. Diets containing iron-supplemented CSM at the same level were the best of all. Mixing CSM with casein to form a diet containing 10% protein increases the protein quality of both casein and CSM.