Effects of sublethal doses of gossypol on haematological properties and biochemical metabolites of male rabbit

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two sublethal doses of gossypol (GOS) (4 and 20 mg/kg of body weight), administered every other day, on some haematological, biochemical, enzymatic and electrolytic properties and amino and fatty acids in male rabbit blood plasma. The experiment lasted for 16 wk and included two phases: 1) administration period; rabbits were given the experimental doses of GOS for 8 wk; and 2) recovery period; rabbits were allowed 8 wk for complete withdrawal of drugs from the plasma. Results showed that low levels of gossypol increased ( P <0.01) haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and white blood cells compared to control. Plasma total protein was increased ( P <0.01) by the low GOS dose in both experimental phases. Likewise, glucose concentration was increased ( P <0.01) by the high GOS dose during the recovery period. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes were increased ( P <0.01) by the high dose of GOS treatment only. Low GOS dose increased ( P <0.01) blood plasma Na+ concentration in the recovery period only. Results revealed that total essential amino acids (EAA), and EAA/non-EAA ratio were not affected in a dose-dependent manner during the treatment phase expect for plasma proline, which was increased along with non-EAA ( P <0.01) by high GOS dose. Additionally, GOS administration did not affect total unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), total saturated fatty acids (SFA) and SFA/USFA ratio in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, Gossypol treatment affected rabbit haematological parameters and biochemical properties of blood plasma in a dose-dependent manner.