Stereological Study on the Effects of Maternal Caffeine Consumption on Histomorphometric Changes of Testis and Prostate in Rat Offspring

Background and Objective: It is conceivable that caffeine consumption would induce gonadal changes. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of embryonic caffeine exposure on rat testis and prostate. Materials and Methods: Female rats were divided into (n=7): A control, only received drinking water. B and C groups received caffeine low dose (26 mg/kg) and high dose (45 mg/kg) respectively via drinking water during pregnancy and lactation. Structural changes in testis and prostate were studied by using stereological methods at 21, 60 and120 days of postnatal development. Results: Our result showed decreases in body and testis weight of offspring of group C compared to other groups at all ages (P< 0.05). The Testis volume showed significant differences between the offspring of both experimental groups and control at days 21, 60 and 120 (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the number of sperm cells of offspring of experimental groups compared to the control group in different ages (P<0.05). The number of sertoli, spermatocyte and spermatid cells of offspring in group C showed a significant decrease compared with other groups at all days (P<0.01). The number of spermatogonia cells in group C offspring showed a significant decrease compared to the control group at different days (P<0.05). The mean Johnsen score decreased in offspring of group C compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Results showed that maternal caffeine consumption altered the structure of testis and prostate gland and spermatogenesis of offspring in adulthood