World Science and Research PublishingGlobal Journal of Animal Scientific Research2345-43772320140626Effect of Feeding Roselle Seeds (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on Some Reproductive Traits of Desert Sheep277284ENA.A.H.AliDepartment of Dairy Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira. mutaz_babiker@yahoo.comA.F.KhalidK.M.ElaminA.A.Tameem EldarM.D.MohammedMutazSaeedBabiker201406052014062620140625Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.) is a medicinal plant known in Sudan as Karkadeh, which grows successfully in the tropics and sub-tropics, mainly for the production of calyces and epicalyces. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of feeding Roselle seeds on rams' semen characteristics and level of blood estrogen compared with groundnut cake feeding. Nine males of Sudanese desert sheep were allocated to (3) treatments (control group (A), test group (B) and castrated group (C). While the (12) ewes were divided into two groups (control group and test group). Each ram of group A and group B mated with 3 ewes of the experimental females. Group A and C fed with groundnut cake, while group B fed with Roselle seeds .The results showed significant differences (P<0.05), in daily feed intake (DFI), average daily gain (ADG) and Feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the experimental groups for rams fed on crushed Roselle. The study showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatments in semen characteristics (semen volume, motility, sperm morphology and concentration). The study showed significant difference (P<0.05) among the treatments in serum estrogen levels. According to the results, Karkadeh (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seeds had an adverse effect on semen characteristics that might be due to the presence of estrogen in the (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.).Based on the current study it is not recommended to use Roselle seeds as an alternative source of protein for reproductive male animals. Roselle seeds could be used for the purpose of fattening of animals.

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