Abstract

Natural substances in food are been encouraged as drug substitutes; therefore, given that drugs are potential poisons, this study examined the toxicity of H. sabdariffa on the reproductive ability of Wistar rats. Using standard laboratory procedures, H. sabdariffa extract was administered on thirty-two matured rats. Male rats were sacrificed (by cervical dislocation) for sperm motility and morphology examination while body weight and pup’s morphology were observed for the female. Data were analysed using Descriptive and Chi-square statistics; Analysis of Variance and Ordinary Least Squares regression. Male rats placed on 4 g/kg dose of extract for 14 days had the highest percentage of total sperm deformity (55.3%). Pups from control female rats had the highest average weight