Gossypol

Question 1

What is Gossypol?

Answer 1

• From Cotton
• A yellow-colored, toxic terpenoid aldehyde
• Protects plant from insect attack
• found in lysigenous (formed through cell-lysis) cavities in all parts of the plant, including the seed
• Affects the heart, reproductive systems, liver and membrane function
• Polyphenolic bi-naphthalene pigment
  
  • Held in pigment glands of seeds
  • appear as tiny black spots on the surface of de-linted seed
• Level varies with variety, soil, weather, and method of oil extraction

Question 2

What are the forms of Gossypol?

Answer 2

• 2:
  
  • Free gossypol - toxic
  • Bound gossypol - non-toxic

Question 3

How does the method of oil extraction affect the amounts of Free and bound gossypol?

Answer 3

• Traditional mechanical press (heat & pressure)
  
  • 0.06% free
  • remainder bound
• Solvent extraction (no heat)
  
  • 0.14% free

Question 4

What is the MOA of Gossypol?

Answer 4

• 3 toxic effects:
  
  • Reactive oxygen species formation
  • Suppression of cellular redox cycling
  • DNA scission
    
    • induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis
    • Suppresses sperm production
    • abortion and progesterone/estradiol suppression
    • Most potent toxic effects are on the heart

Question 5

What are the signs of gossypol toxicosis?

Answer 5

• Acute:
  
  • Acute heart failure following exertion or stress
• Chronic:
  
  • Unthrifty, rough haircoat, ascites, dyspnea (“thumping” labored breathing), edema
  • Death may follow excitement/exertion or severe dyspnea

Question 6

What are the postmortem signs of gossypol toxicosis?

Answer 6

• No lesions in rapidly lethal cases
• Signs of acute / chronic heart failure
  
  • Congestion, fluid accumulation in body cavities, enlarged heart
  • Chronic cases may have “nutmeg” liver due to centrilobular liver necrosis

Question 7

What are the differentials for gossypol toxicosis?

Answer 7

• Acute selenosis
• Vitamin E/selenium Deficiency
• Ionophores
• Gossypol

Question 8

How is gossypol toxicosis diagnosed?

Answer 8

• Acute / chronic heart failure
• Characteristic postortem lesions
• Hx of cotton seed feed
  
  • seed may be analyzed for gossypol to provide confirmation

Question 9

What is the treatment for gossypol toxicosis?

Answer 9

• Change feed
• Avoid exciteent/stress
• Mildly affected animals may recover with good nursing care
• Severly affected animals have a poor prognosis
• Supplement with:
  
  • Iron (1:1 ratio)
  • Vitamin A
  • Lysine
  • Protein