268 



Journal of Agricultural Research 



Vol. V, No. 7 



Intraperitoneal Injection of Gossypol Extract 



Cottonseed oil was used as the vehicle for the injection of the gossypol 

 extract. This was readily available and of suitable consistency for injec- 

 tion. It was purified in this laboratory from a sample of crude oil. This 

 oil was selected chiefly for its ability to hold the gossypol extract in solu- 

 tion. Crawford (1910, p. 531-532), under "Experiments with cottonseed 

 oil," makes the following observations:. 



After feeding a large dose of the crude cottonseed oil (25 c. c.) to a rabbit its weight 

 steadily fell and remained low, and when a moderate dose (15 c. c.) was fed and this was 

 followed by repeated small ones the animal died, showing irritation of the gastro-intes- 

 tinal canal. Lendrich [1908] noted that after the daily administration of cottonseed 

 oil his rabbits emaciated, but readily assimilated the same dose of oil that was given 

 intraperitoneally. 



After feedings with purified cottonseed oil, or with olive oil, there was a loss in 

 weight, but the animals did not die. After feeding pure cod-liver oil the animals died. 

 The loss in weight was small in the case of feeding purified cottonseed oil. The fact 

 that the cottonseed oil gave*no red reaction to litmus paper would suggest that the loss 

 in weight, noted after feeding the crude oil, was not due to the free oleic acid. This 

 acid has recently been shown to play an important role in the production of certain 

 forms of anemia. Oils interfere with gastric digestion in man, and this fact must be 

 taken into consideration in experiments on such animals as rabbits. 



Two controls receiving purified cottonseed oil were affected to only a 

 slight extent. All five rabbits receiving intraperitoneally an oil solution 

 of gossypol extract died, the extract being the equivalent of from 45 to 

 85 gm. of cottonseed kernels. See Table III. 



Table III. — Results of intraperitoneal injection in rabbits of gossypol extract dissolved 

 in purified cottonseed oil 



post-mortem observations 



Rabbits 931 and 932. — Fatal with complications in four days. Entire belly (sub- 

 cutaneous) very edematous. Part of dose was injected subcutaneously. 



Rabbit 934. — Died between the seventh and the nineteenth hour. Considerable 

 serous fluid in abdomen. Serous fluid in chest cavity, 2 to 3 c. c. 



