ABSTRACT
The effect of caffeine on fetal neural tube development was investigated in mice. Various oral dose regimens of caffeine were administered on gestation day-8 [GD8], GD9 or both to pregnant NMRI mice and fetuses were then examined on GDl8. Administration of caffeine [50 and 100 mg/kg] once daily on GD8 and on GD9 produced a dose-related increase in the incidence of spina bifida occulta [8.1% and 13.9%, respectively]. Administration of caffeine [50 mg/kg] three times 6 h apart on GD9 produced a higher incidence of spina bifida occulta reaching 27%. Fetuses with exencephaly were not observed as a result of administration of caffeine using either dose regimens [except of an odd fetus in the low dose group of the first regimen] or when caffeine [100 mg/kg] was given as a single administration on GD8. The influence of caffeine on sodium valproate [VPA]-induced neural tube defects [NTDs] was also studied. The study concluded that oral administration of caffeine [50 and 100 mg/kg] once daily on GD8 and on GD9 induced fetal spina bifida occulta in mice but the incidence was higher when the drug was given at the low dose three times on GD9. Furthermore, caffeine did not seem to influence VPA-induced NTDs when given either on GD8 or on GD9