CAFFEINE - EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC EXPOSURE ON THE BEHAVIOR OF NEONATAL RATS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 4  (1) , 21-32
Abstract
The behavioral responses of 1- and 10-day-old rats to caffeine, a CNS stimulant, were determined using several behaviors readily exhibited by the neonatal rat. In pups of both ages activity and attachment latencies in the on-nipple suckling test increased, while weight gain and attachment frequencies in on-mother and on-nipple suckling tests decreased. The home orientation of 10-day-old rats was disrupted. Similar effects were found in 1-day-old pups exposed to theophylline. Long term exposure to caffeine during gestation (1-day-old pups) or on days 1-9 of lactation (10-day-old pups) increased the pups'' activity levels and altered the activity increase observed following an acute caffeine challenge. The absence of a differential response to theophylline indicated these changes were specific to caffeine. Biologically relevant behaviors could be used to assess behavioral alterations in the neonate which arose from prenatal or early postnatal exposure to toxic substances.