Interactions of Caffeine and Restraint Stress During Pregnancy in Mice 1

Abstract

The maternal and developmental toxicity of combined exposure to restraint stress and caffeine was assessed in mice. On gestational Days 0–18, three groups of plug-positive females (n = 13–15) were given by gavage caffeine at 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg/day. Three additional groups received the same caffeine doses and were restrained for 2 hr/day. Control groups included restrained and unrestrained plug-positive mice not exposed to caffeine. All animals in the group concurrently exposed to 120 mg/kg/day of caffeine and restraint died during the experimental period. In the remaining groups, cesarean sections were performed on Day 18 of gestation, and the fetuses were weighed and examined for external, internal, and skeletal malformations and variations. Although maternal and embryo/fetal toxicity were observed at all caffeine doses, the adverse maternal and developmental effects were significantly enhanced in the groups concurrently exposed to caffeine and restraint. It was especially remarkable at 60 and 120 mg/kg/day. The results of this study suggest that maternal and developmental toxic effects might occur if high amounts of caffeine were consumed by women under a notable stress during pregnancy.