Influence of Caffeine Consumption by Pregnant Rats on Behavior and Learning in Their Offspring

Abstract

We studied the effect of long-term prenatal administration of caffeine on the behavior and learning of rats in postnatal ontogeny. Experiments were carried out on male rats born by females receiving caffeine solution as the only source of fluid throughout gestation. The control group consisted of pups obtained from females receiving drinking water throughout pregnancy. It was found that long-term caffeine intake by female rats during pregnancy determined increased locomotor activity of the offspring. Rat pups born from mothers treated with caffeine during pregnancy faster reached the underwater platform in the Morris maze, i.e. demonstrated better spatial memory formation than control animals.