Elsevier

Contraception

Volume 65, Issue 4, April 2002, Pages 259-263
Contraception

Review article
Gossypol: a contraceptive for men

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(02)00294-9Get rights and content

Abstract

Gossypol is a polyphenol isolated from the seed, roots, and stem of the cotton plant (Gossypium sp.). The substance, a yellow pigment similar to flavonoids, is present in cottonseed oil. In the plant, it acts as a natural defensive agent against predators, provoking infertility in insects. In most animals, gossypol provokes infertility, and in man it causes spermatogenesis arrest at relatively low doses. Studies carried out in China, Africa, and Brazil have shown that the substance is well tolerated, causing no side effects that lead to discontinuation. The reported hypokalemia of early studies has not been confirmed in the latest trials. The only concern at present appears to be lack of reversibility in over 20% of subjects. Gossypol should be prescribed preferably to men who have completed their families or for those who would accept permanent infertility after a few years of use.

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    Gossypol and its derivatives exhibit various biological properties. ( Rax)-(−)-gossypol 2 shows antifertility activity in male animals and humans, while the (Sax)-(+)-gossypol 3 shows almost no activity for inhibiting sperm production and motility [15,16]. Studies have indicated the antitumor properties of gossypol against many types of cancer cell lines. (

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