Ultrastructure of the testis and epididymis of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) administered gossypol.

Abstract

When Japanese quail were given gossypol acetic acid intramuscularly at 25 mg/kg body weight per day for 9 days, testis/body weights were reduced to 63% of those of controls. Lumina of the seminiferous tubules became smaller but were packed with tails of spermatids. Mitochondria of spermatids changed in shape from elongated to round. After administration of gossypol for 21 days, testis/body weights were 14% of those of controls. Lumina of seminiferous tubules were completely collapsed, germinal epithelia became much thinner, and basal lamina of the germinal epithelium underwent extensive ruffling. Although primary spermatocytes were seen, neither spermatids nor sperm were present. The cytoplasm of germinal epithelial cells was packed with numerous lipid droplets. At Day 8 of withdrawal following 21 days of gossypol administration, testis/body weights were 23% of those of controls. Reduced numbers of lipid inclusions and partial recovery of spermatogenesis in the testis were observed. In the epididymal region, epithelial cells of the ductuli efferentes progressively accumulated lipid droplets, and luminal collapse was seen after 21 days of gossypol administration. After gossypol administration for 21 days, no sperm were found in the ductus epididymidis, the lumina were collapsed, and microvilli of the epithelial cells were lost. At Day 8 of withdrawal after 21 days of gossypol administration, lipid content was reduced in the ductuli efferentes. The lumina of the ductus epididymidis were open, but no spermatozoa were seen. These observations indicate that gossypol severely altered tissues of the quail testis and epididymal region. However, this alteration seems to be reversible.