title: Prenatal Caffeine Exposure Impairs Pregnancy in Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years, concerns have been raised about human reproductive disorders. Caffeine consumption is increasing by the world's population and there is a relationship between caffeine intake and adverse reproductive outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine on implantation sites, number of live births, birth weight, crown-rump length (CRL) and abnormality in pregnant rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, 40 female albino rats (170-190 g) were randomly divided into two experimental and two control groups (n=10/each group). In both experimental groups, animals received caffeine intraperitoneally (IP: 150 mg/kg/day) on days 1-5 of pregnancy. In experimental group 1, treated animals were euthanized on day 7of pregnancy and the number of implantation sites was counted. In experimental group 2, treated animals maintained pregnant and after delivery, the number of live births, birth weight, CRL and abnormality of neonates were investigated. In control group, animals received IP injections of distilled water. Data were analyzed by independent t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that administration of caffeine significantly decreased the number of implantation sites, number of live births and CRL as compared with control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences regarding birth weight and abnormality of neonate rats between experimental and control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that caffeine caused anti-fertility effect and significantly decreased CRL in neonate rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yazd, Iran; Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yadegari
authors.affiliation: Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Mozafar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khazaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anvari
authors.affiliation: Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohadeseh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eskandari
keywords: Caffeine; Implantation; Rat