Cottonseed poisoning

Cotton seeds contain pigment glands, primarily composed of gossypol-type pigments, which can cause damage to tissue cells in organs such as the nervous system, blood, liver, and kidneys. Accidental ingestion of cotton seeds or cottonseed cake, or consumption of large amounts or long-term intake of unrefined cottonseed oil (containing gossypol levels several times higher than national standards) can lead to gossypol poisoning, which is more commonly seen in patients from cotton-producing areas.