Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Do you have any information on gossypol?
QUESTION:
Does gossypol get transferred into the milk of lactating dairy cows? My guess is
no since I can not seem to find anything in the literature. There is more Pima
cottonseed being fed in CA. This cottonseed is higher in gossypol content than
the traditional fuzzy, upland cottonseed. Have you ever measured the gossypol
content of feeds or blood? Got any thoughts about
gossypol?
ANSWER:
I was hoping to have something new for you and I don't! It stands to reason that
some might reach the milk, but I have not seen any figures on cows. Sounds
like a great MS research project. Or a value-added product (Male Contraceptive
Milk?). Given the amount of CSM fed in the West and the increasing use of whole
cotton seed out here, this might be of more than passing interest! Low sperm
count? Got milk? Actually the concentrations of gossypol needed would probably
not be found in milk unless one put it there directly, but sounds like it is
worth a
look...