Gossypol toxicity from cottonseed affects which organ systems, with malnutrition appearing after weeks?

• A. Heart, kidney, hepatic, reproductive systems
• B. Brain only
• C. Skin and mucous membranes
• D. Gastrointestinal tract only

Answer: (A)

Gossypol causes multisystem toxicity with chronic exposure. The toxin from cottonseed can affect the heart, liver, kidneys, and reproductive tissues, leading to cardiomyopathy, hepatic and renal injury, and impaired fertility. Over weeks, malnutrition can develop as a result of reduced feed intake and poorer nutrient utilization, making wasting and growth problems common in affected animals. Because the injury spans several organ systems and a malnutrition phase emerges after a chronic interval, the choice that lists heart, kidney, hepatic, and reproductive systems best fits the known toxicity pattern. The other options describe effects limited to a single tissue or a non-multisystem pattern, which doesn’t match gossypol’s broad impact.