Male "Pill" Blocks Sperm Enzyme

Gossypol a phenolic compound found in the seed stem and roots of the cotton plant was first identified as a fertility control agent in China in the 1950s. Since 1972 its properties have been studied on more than 10000 fertile men. Each received an oral dose of 20 mcg every day for about 2 months at which time sperm count was greatly reduced. Maintenance doses of 75-100 mcg taken twice monthly are required. This protocol was 99.89% effective in 4000 men who were treated for 6 months-4 years. 3% of men reported a decrease in appetite another 3% had an increase in appetite and 13% reported transient weakness during the 1st days of administration. The contraceptive effect was fully reversible within a few months after termination of treatment. A recent study done at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park North Carolina shows that the target enzyme of gossypol is lactate dehydrogenase X which is found only in sperm and testis cells. Gossypol appears to inhibit a cofactor that is necessary for enzyme activity thereby inhibiting spermatogenesis. Gossypol also appears to inhibit an enzyme that participates in the detoxification of certain organic compounds including potential carcinogens. Gossypol at doses 100-700 times higher than those required for contraception may cause diarrhea circulatory problems hair discoloration malnutrition and heart failure. More studies are needed.