Effects of an aqueous extract of cotton seed (Gossypium barbadense Linn.) on adult male rats.

Twenty adult male rats per group in 4 treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally at 08.00 hours with 0.1 ml of an aqueous cotton seed extract (Gossypium barbadense Linn.) (Malvaceae) in concentrations of (a) 105.25, (b) 21.21, (c) 4.65, (d) 2.325 mg ml-1 (kg body weight)-1, respectively. A fifth group (control) was given 0.1 ml of pyrogen free distilled water per rat. Five rats per treatment group were sacrificed at 2, 8, 24 and 168 hours respectively after treatment. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) showed no change. Plasma testosterone was lower (p less than 0.05) than that of control at 2 and 8 hours, with recovery by 168 hours post treatment. Plasma creatinine was raised by 2 hours, with recovery by 8 hours. Plasma urea rose gradually but persistently to a maximum of 168 hours. Plasma aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) transaminases were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than that of controls throughout the study. Testicular histology showed early germ cell disorganization followed by progressive fibrosis (sperm cytoskeleton) by 24 hours. There was evidence of recovery by 168 hours. It is concluded that aqueous extract of cotton seed meal contains substances that can rapidly cause damage to testicular, liver, kidney and muscular tissues.