Metabolism of round spermatids: gossypol induces uncoupling of respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation

The effect of gossypol on energy metabolism of round spermatids of rats was examined. When spermatids were treated with various concentrations of gossypol for 30 min at 32 degrees C, a biphasic response (stimulation at low concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations) was seen in pyruvate and CO2 production from lactate. At the early period of incubation, gossypol at even high concentrations stimulated CO2 production to an extent similar to that stimulated by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). At longer periods of incubation, however, the rates of CO2 production from lactate dropped to those seen in the rotenone-treated cells. The rates of oxygen consumption were not increased further by DNP when cells were pretreated with gossypol. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in spermatids was reduced markedly, although lactate oxidation to CO2 and mitochondrial respiration were stimulated by gossypol. These results suggest that gossypol probably exerts its effect on spermatids by uncoupling respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation.