Postmortem findings associated with gossypol toxicity include which of the following?

Postmortem findings associated with gossypol toxicity include which of the following?

• A. Red-tinged fluid, edema, pale-streaked heart, edematous lungs
• B. Yellow fat necrosis
• C. Dehydration of kidneys
• D. Hemorrhagic enteritis

Answer: (A)

Gossypol toxicity predominantly affects the heart, causing cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. This cardiac failure leads to widespread congestion and edema, so you see edematous tissues and effusions. In the postmortem state, a reddish-tinged fluid can be present in body cavities from congestion and minor hemorrhages, the heart may show pale streaks where myocardial fibers have been damaged, and the lungs become edematous from backup of blood due to poor cardiac output. Together, these signs reflect the cardiovascular collapse that gossypol can induce. Other findings listed are less characteristic for gossypol. Yellow fat necrosis is more typical of pancreatic fat necrosis or lipomatosis; dehydration of kidneys points to pre-renal or renal causes of fluid loss rather than primary cardiotoxic injury; hemorrhagic enteritis suggests GI mucosal hemorrhage from other etiologies.

Gossypol toxicity predominantly affects the heart, causing cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. This cardiac failure leads to widespread congestion and edema, so you see edematous tissues and effusions. In the postmortem state, a reddish-tinged fluid can be present in body cavities from congestion and minor hemorrhages, the heart may show pale streaks where myocardial fibers have been damaged, and the lungs become edematous from backup of blood due to poor cardiac output. Together, these signs reflect the cardiovascular collapse that gossypol can induce.

Other findings listed are less characteristic for gossypol. Yellow fat necrosis is more typical of pancreatic fat necrosis or lipomatosis; dehydration of kidneys points to pre-renal or renal causes of fluid loss rather than primary cardiotoxic injury; hemorrhagic enteritis suggests GI mucosal hemorrhage from other etiologies.