Lime Juice (Citrus aurantifolia): Effect on fetal parameters of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats

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 (SD) rats were used. They were randomly 
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 on 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.