Effects of cottonseed oil (Gossypium Spp.) and cottonseed meal on estrous cycle, ovulation and histoarchitecture of female reproductive organs of adult cyclic Sprague-Dawley rats

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of various forms of cottonseed oil (whole Cottonseed, “Refined” industrially extracted Cottonseed oil and “Crude” locally extracted Cottonseed oil) on the Estrous cycle and Ovulation, and Histoarchitecture of female reproductive organs. Regular 4-day adult cyclic female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; three experimental and one control of five rats each. Group A rats were fed with 1.5mls/kg body weight of industrially extracted “refined” cottonseed oil-Sunola®. Group B with 2mls/kg body weight of finely grounded whole cottonseed powder, while same number of animals in group C were fed with locally extracted “crude” cottonseed oil. Daily Vaginal smears were taken between 8-9am. Six estrous cycles were monitored before administration of the test substances, another six cycles were monitored during the periods the test substances were administered, then another six cycles were studied after withdrawal of the test substances. Effects of the test substances on ovulation were also studied by administering the test substances on the morning of proestrous and counting the number of ova shed on estrous. Adrenal glands and reproductive organs of test and control animals were subjected to histological study. Varying degrees of variation from the expected 2:1:1 ratio of number of diestrous: proestrous: estrous days were noticed. The variation was greatest in group B animals which were treated with finely ground whole cottonseed powder. Ovulation was completely blocked in animals treated with locally extracted “crude” cottonseed oil (Group C). Histological studies of reproductive organs of control and experimental animals showed normal histology.Keywords: cottonseed oil, cottonseed meal, estrous cycle, ovulation Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 21-2