Journal of Animal Science, Vol 71, Issue 11 3052-3059, Copyright © 1993 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effects of dietary gossypol consumption on metabolic homeostasis and reproductive endocrine function in beef heifers and cows

M. L. Gray, L. W. Greene and G. L. Williams
Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M University System, Beeville 78102.

Our objectives were to determine the effects of incremental increases in dietary gossypol on metabolic homeostasis and reproductive endocrine function in postpubertal beef heifers and the long-term effects of elevated dietary gossypol on various metabolic and reproductive endocrine characteristics in mature cows. In Exp. 1, heifers (n = 6/group) were fed either 0, .5, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 g.animal-1 x d-1 of dietary free gossypol for 62 d. Erythrocyte membrane osmotic fragility was increased (P < .0001) in both the 10- and 20-g groups. Slight alterations in plasma concentrations of sorbitol dehydrogenase and K+ were also detected in the latter group. Treatment did not affect ADG, body condition scores, or concentrations of progesterone during the estrous cycle; however, mean concentrations of LH were higher (P < .001) in heifers fed 20 g/d of gossypol than in heifers in all other groups. In Exp. 2, lactating cows (n = 17) exhibiting regular estrous cycles were fed a control (no gossypol, n = 8) or high-gossypol (20 mg.kg BW-1 x d-1 free gossypol, n = 9) diet for 33 wk. Mean BW and body condition scores did not differ during the feeding period. Erythrocyte membrane fragility was greater (P < .05) in the high-gossypol than in the control group. Magnitude of the preovulatory LH surge, luteal phase concentrations of progesterone, follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol and progesterone, in vitro granulosa cell estradiol production, and 60-d pregnancy rates were similar between groups. The amounts of gossypol fed in these experiments are not likely to affect reproductive performance adversely in beef heifers or cows.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. N. Galvao, J. E. P. Santos, A. C. Coscioni, S. O. Juchem, R. C. Chebel, W. M. Sischo, and M. Villasenor Embryo survival from gossypol-fed heifers after transfer to lactating cows treated with human chorionic gonadotropin. J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2006; 89(6): 2056 - 2064. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. P. Santos, M. Villasenor, P. H. Robinson, E. J. DePeters, and C. A. Holmberg Type of Cottonseed and Level of Gossypol in Diets of Lactating Dairy Cows: Plasma Gossypol, Health, and Reproductive Performance J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2003; 86(3): 892 - 905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. Prieto, E. J. DePeters, P. H. Robinson, J. E. P. Santos, J. W. Pareas, and S. J. Taylor Increasing Dietary Levels of Cracked Pima Cottonseed Increase Plasma Gossypol but do not Influence Productive Performance of Lactating Holstein Cows J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2003; 86(1): 254 - 267. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Velasquez-Pereira, C. F. Arechiga, L. R. McDowell, P. J. Hansen, P. J. Chenoweth, M. C. Calhoun, C. A. Risco, T. R. Batra, S. N. Williams, and N. S. Wilkinson Effects of gossypol from cottonseed meal and dietary vitamin E on the reproductive characteristics of superovulated beef heifers J Anim Sci, September 1, 2002; 80(9): 2485 - 2492. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]