Gossypol, a polyphenolic aldehyde from cotton plant, interferes with swine granulosa cell function

Gossypol is a polyphenol isolated from the seed, roots and stem of cotton plant (Gossypium sp.) It has been associated with adverse effects on female reproduction, but recently also shown having promising effects against several malignancies. Its mechanisms of action are however still not fully understood. This study was therefore conducted to investigate the effect of 5 or 25 μg/mL gossypol on swine granulosa cell steroidogenic activity, redox status and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) production. Study demonstrated that gossypol significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited granulosa cell estradiol 17β and progesterone production, an effect that could be at least partially mediated by an increase (P < 0.05) of nitric oxide and superoxide anion production as a consequence of superoxide dismutase inhibition. Moreover, gossypol stimulates (P < 0.001) VEGF production. In conclusion, study has demonstrated effecs of gossypol on swine granulosa cell function in vitro. Effects on female swine fertility can not be excluded.