The effect of methylxanthines on milk volume and composition, and growth of rat pups

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of differential dose levels of methylxanthines on lactational performance, with respect to milk volume and composition and pup growth. The methylxanthines; caffeine, theophylline and theobromine, were administered via drinking water in the proportions occurring in tea, at a dose of 50, 1 and 2 mg/kg body-weight respectively to Wistar albino rats throughout pregnancy and for up to the 14th day of lactation. A fourth group received a mixture of all three methylxanthines. Maternal food and fluid intake and weight changes, as well as weight gain in the litter were monitored thrice weekly. Milk samples were collected from the dams on days 7 and 14 of lactation, while milk volume was measured on days 12-13 by a method using tritiated water. Results showed that caffeine and theobromine significantly enhanced litter weight (P < 001 and 0.05 respectively). In the caffeine group, enhanced litter growth was due to a significant increase (P < 0.05) in milk volume, consequent to increased maternal food intake (P < 0.05). In the theobromine group there was only a weak association between increased litter weight and milk volume. Theophylline had no effect on the volume or composition of milk, or litter weight. The combination of all three methylxanthines also failed to produce any of the positive effects observed with separate drug treatments.

NAEPP Expert Panel ReportManaging Asthma During Pregnancy: Recommendations for Pharmacologic Treatment—2004 Update

“…Seven experimental animal studies [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] and eight human studies were included. The experimental animal studies confirm the association of high-dose theophylline and adverse pregnancy outcomes in animals.…”

Postnatal Caffeine Effects on Copper, Zinc, and Iron Concentrations in Mammary Gland, Milk, and Plasma of Lactating Dams and Their Offspring

“…In contrast, administration of caffeine during pregnancy and lactation did not affect either milk fat or milk protein [8,9], Our study with animals showed that the maternal consump tion of caffeine during the lactational period influences trace elements in the mammary gland, milk, and pups' plasma.…”

“…We have previously shown that tissue Zn and Cu levels in growing pups are decreased when lactating dams are fed a diet supple mented with caffeine [6,7], Though several studies on the composition of rat milk after caffeine administration exist [8,9], the rela tionships of and possible changes in trace ele ments during lactation in the mammary gland, milk, and plasma of dams and in the plasma of pups after caffeine administration are not thoroughly explored. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine caffeine's effect on the concentration of var ious trace elements in the mammary gland, milk, and plasma of rat dams and in the plas ma of their offspring.…”

Study of sensory-motor and somatic development of the offspring of rats (Wistar) treated with caffeine

“…Rats submitted to treatment with caffeine during pregnancy and lactation yielded a higher volume of milk, although the values of the daily total production of proteins, lactose and triglycerides was similar to values observed in females without treatment (Hart, Grimble, 1990).…”