277 Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research. 2(3):277-284. 2014 Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research Journal homepage: www.gjasr.com Print ISSN: 2345-4377 Online ISSN: 2345-4385 Original Article Effect of Feeding Roselle Seeds (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on Some Reproductive Traits of Desert Sheep A.A.H. Ali 1 , A.F. Khalid 1 , K.M. Elamin 2 , A.A. Tameem Eldar 3 , M.D. Mohammed 3 and M.S. Babiker 4,* 1 Department of Dairy Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira, Sudan 2 Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan. 3 Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira, Sudan 4 Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira, Sudan ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Corresponding Author: Mutaz Saeed Babiker mutaz_babiker@yahoo.com Roselle (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. Keywords: sheep, Roselle seed, reproductive traits, castration. How to cite this article: Ali, A.A.H., A.F. Khalid, K.M. Elamin, A.A. Tameem Eldar, M.D. Mohammed and M.S. Babiker. 2014. Effect of Feeding Roselle Seeds (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on Some Reproductive Traits of Desert Sheep. Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research. 2(3): 277-284. Article History: Received: 5 June 2014 Revised: 25 June 2014 Accepted: 26 June 2014 Copyright © 2014, World Science and Research Publishing. All rights reserved. INTRODUCTION Sudan is a large country, covering an area of more than 1.850 million square kilometers. The livestock sub-sector in Sudan provides a livelihood for about 14% to 20% of the population; it is concentrated in the Western Sudan States, which have about 39% of the