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 gastrointes¬ 
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 r 61 e 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 
Feed and rabbit (No. 
Weight of 
rabbit. 
Weight of 
kernels before 
extraction. 
Dose, 
Result. 
Gossypol extract: 
Gm. 
Gm. 
C.c. 
93 1 . 
770 
About 50 
8 
Died. 
932 . 
600 
About 45 
(X water.) 
Do. 
934 . 
937 
85 
$~6 
Do. 
928. 
1, 090 
8S 
7 
Do. 
, 9 2 9 . 
Purified cottonseed oil: 
1,225 
About 50 
4 
Do. 
930 (control). 
864 
10 
Only slightly indis¬ 
posed. 
933 (control). 
864 
10 
Do. 
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. 
