[Effect of gossypol acetic acid on the uterus and ovary].

Gossypol has been employed in gynecologic clinics for the treatment of endometriosis and functional uterine bleedings with encouraging results. In the present communication the effects of gossypol on the uterus and ovary were studied both experimentally and clinically by histologic and histochemical techniques. It was found that treatment of female rats with gossypol acetic acid at 30 mg/kg/d, six days a week, for 8 weeks caused marked atrophy of the endometrium and a reduction of the glycogen content of the myometrium. Vaginal smears showed a picture of atypical estrous cycle. Simultaneous administration of 1 mg/kg/d of estriol reduced the effect of gossypol acetic acid though the influence of gossypol treatment was still discernible. Treatment of 16 patients suffering from endometriosis or functional uterine bleeding with gossypol acetic acid for 2-3 months induced changes similar to those observed in animal experiments, namely, atrophy of the endometrium and decrease in endometrium glycogen. In 3 other patients treated with gossypol acetic acid for 4～5 months there was a slight increase in Sudan Black B staining and a decrease in alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, PAS staining and RNA of the endometrium. There was also a change of biphasic basal body temperature into monophasic and a lowered estrogen level as revealed by vaginal cytology.One may speculate from the above results that gossypol may act on the uterus directly as well as indirectly through inhibition of the secretory function of the ovary and/or through antagonism against the effect of estrogens in the female. Hence, it may be desirable to conduct further studies on the effect of gossypol on the pituitary-gonadal axis.