Alterações estruturais placentárias e do desenvolvimento fetal decorrentes do consumo crônico de cafeína durante a gestação em camundongos

Abstract

Caffeine is a substance commonly consumed by pregnant women, and is present in foods such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate and some medications. Due to its ability to cross the placental membrane and accumulate in the fetal body, caffeine and its metabolites have been contraindicated or suggested at minimal doses during gestation. Although there is still no consensus on the safety dosage. studies in humans and rodents experimental models link caffeine consumption with lower rates of fertilization, embryo implantation, changes in placental structure, low fetal and placental weights, abortions and stillborn. Due to the lack of studies characterizing the histomorphometrical changes in placental structure and vascularization, the objective of the study was to evaluate biometric and morphological changes caused by daily caffeine consumption administered at different dosages during different gestation stages. Female Swiss mice were subjected, by gavage, to daily caffeine intake through low, moderate and high varied doses, while the control group received water, before and during the gestational period. On days 11.5 and 17.5 of gestation, pregnant female mice were euthanized for biological material collection, which was then submitted to biometric and histomorphometric analysis. The results showed a likely infertility effect of caffeine, since treated females had longer diestrus hours and a lower pregnancy rate. In addition, treated offspring were lighter than other as well as their placentas and placentary efficiency. There was no change in placental areas size, although less irrigation by maternal vessels in detriment of an increase in fetal vessels was observed in moderate doses of caffeine. The findings of this project may help the elucidation of placental and fetal changes due to caffeine consumption during gestation.