Preliminary indications that functional effects of fetal caffeine exposure can be expressed in a second generation.
Caffeine, added to the drinking water of males used for impregnation and gestant BALB/c mice such that their daily caffeine intake was 60 mg/kg, modified the passive avoidance behavior of the offspring when tested as adults. Caffeine-treated and control mice of the F1 generation were then cross-mated. The F2 generation was not exposed to caffeine but, when tested as adults, there were significant differences in passive avoidance latencies among the F2 mice. These data are a preliminary indication that effects resulting from fetal caffeine exposure in the F1 mice can be expressed in a second generation. Some cross-fostered groups of mice were tested in both the F1 and F2 generations as an initial control for postnatal maternal effects. F1 caffeine-treated mice also carried significantly smaller litters, implying that prenatal caffeine exposure could have affected the reproductive ability of these mice. It is tentatively concluded that a changed uterine environment, possibly interacting with an effect on the germ line, may be reflected in neurobehavioral effects in the second generation.
Sinton
C M
CM
Pharmaceuticals Division, CIBA-GEIGY Corporation, Summit, NJ 07901.
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D013723:Teratogens; D013997:Time Factors
D013723:Teratogens; D002110:Caffeine