Cerebral amino acids in neonate from caffeine-drinking dam

Abstract

The cerebral free amino acids in neonatal rats, from dams given 0.04% caffeine in the drinking fluid ad libitum before and/or during pregnancy throughout the lactational period, were examined on days 1, 5 and 10. Significantly reduced cerebral weight was observed on day 1. The tyrosine concentration in the cerebrum, but not that in the liver, was increased on days 1 and 5. The tyrosine level showed a positive correlation with the caffeine level in neonatal cerebrum only on day 1. These results suggest that maternal caffeine disturbs the neonatal cerebrum through tyrosine and tyrosine hydroxylase, and then produces behavioral abnormalities in developing rats. AAU - Water; 7732-18-5