ISSN 2167-0404
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences Vol. 2 (5), pp.114-116, May, 2012. ISSN: 2167-0404 © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Lime Juice (Citrus aurantifolia): Effect on fetal parameters of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats
Airat Adeola Bakare1, Rosemary Basiono Bassey2, Chika Ann Onyeka3, Francis Ikechukwu Duru1
1Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Nigeria
2Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Nigeria
3Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Madonna University, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: [email protected]
Received February 6, 2012; Accepted May 29, 2012
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lime juice on the fetal parameters of Sprague-Dawley rats
Materials and Methods: Forty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The experiment was divided into 2 groups (I and II) of 10 rats each. The estrous cycles of the rats were studied for the first 16 days to establish cyclicity. The rats were mated with male SD rats of proven fertility on the estrous day (heat period) of estrous cycle. Rats in group I received 1ml of undiluted lime juice while rats in group II received distilled water by gastric gavage. The rats were sacrificed the 20th day of gestation using chloroform anesthesia and fetal parameters were evaluated.
Results: There was a reduction in the number of fetus of treated pregnant rats when compared to the control which has between eight to eleven litters. There was a significant reduction in the crown-rump length, weight and umbilical cord length of the fetus when compared with the control which was normal.
Conclusion: Lime juice showed abortificient effect but no obvious teratogenic effect was observed.
Key Words: Lime juice, Ovulation, Estrous cycle