Endocrine Abstracts

Caffeine crosses the placenta and mammary barrier and can affect the offspring metabolism and endocrine system from heavy caffeine users. Here, we tested the impact of a safe dose of maternal caffeine (200-300 mg/day) on plasma hormone of offspring from both sexes at different ages (weaning, puberty and adulthood). For this, pregnant Wistar rats received caffeine (25mg/kg/day) by gavage or vehicle during gestation (GEST group), lactation (LACT group) or both periods (G+L group). Litters were adjusted to 8 pups per dam. Biometric parameters were recorded in dams and offspring. Milk was collected at weaning. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in offspring at postnatal (PN) days 45 and 180; hormones were measured at PN21 and PN180 by ELISA. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by the Newman-Keuls post-test (Ethical committee 26/2019). At delivery, dams of GEST and G+L groups showed lower food intake and body weight (-18% and -12%; respectively, P<0.05). At the end of lactation, all dams’ caffeine groups had no change of leptin and insulin in plasma and milk; showed lower plasma total T3 (GEST= -70%, LACT=-52% and G+L=-56%; P<0.05), although no differences of free T4 and TSH. Regarding the offspring at birth, only GEST and G+L females showed lower body weight (-6%; P<0.05). At weaning, all males’ caffeine groups showed lower T3 (G=-75%, LACT=-80% and G+L=-58%; P<0.05), without changes of T4 or TSH, while females had no changes of these hormones. At weaning, G+L females presented hyperinsulinemia (+100%; P<0.05) despite normoglycemia. From weaning until adult life, GEST and G+L females showed lower body weight (-6%; P<0.05), whereas GEST and LACT males had higher body weight (+6%; P<0.05). At puberty, only LACT females showed hyperglycemia at 30 and 120 minutes after glucose overload, characterizing a glucose intolerance. At adulthood, GEST and LACT females displayed glucose intolerance. Males had no differences in glycemia in the OGTT at PN45 and PN180. Plasma insulin, leptin, T3 and T4, TSH and estradiol were not altered in adult female offspring. However, plasma testosterone was higher in LACT females (+152% P<0.05). Adult male offspring from all caffeine groups did not show changes of these hormones. We suggested that perinatal caffeine exposure, even at a safe dose, induces short- and long-term hormonal changes and metabolic disturbances in offspring especially in females. Thus, during the critical periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding, the consumption of caffeinated beverages and foods should be avoided.