Gossypol: An Effective Acrosin Blocker

Abstract

The activation of proacrosin and the acrosin activity of boar ejaculated spermatozoa were studied in vitro over a wide range of gossypol concentrations and it was found that both activities were sensitive to gossypol inhibition. Acrosin, fruthermore, is by far the most gossypol sensitive enzyme among all enzymes reported. This antiacrosin effect of gossypol adds an extra advantage to its being used as a vaginal contraceptive.