Caffeine Exposure during Pregnancy Alters Reproductive Hormone Profiles and Induces Oxidative Stress in F1 Generation Male Piglets

Abstract

Background: Exposure to environmental toxicants, including caffeine, has been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes, such as reduced fertility. Objective: This study investigated the effects of prenatal caffeine exposure on selected antioxidant, hormonal, and lipid profiles in first filial (F1) generation male piglets. Methodology: Twenty (20) randomly selected male F1 piglets were used: ten from sows exposed to caffeine during pregnancy (treatment group) and ten from non-exposed sows (control group). Both groups were cohabited with male pigs at a female-to-male ratio of 5:1 and received standard feed and water ad libitum. Upon confirmation of pregnancy, 5 mg/kg caffeine was added to the feed of the treatment group and administered until delivery. At three months post-delivery, blood samples were collected from the external jugular vein without sacrificing the animals for analysis of serum lipid profiles, hormone levels, and antioxidant activities. Results: The mean weight change was slightly higher in the caffeine-exposed group (20.50 ± 0.4) compared to the control, unexposed group (17.50 ± 0.8), although the observed difference was not statistically significant. The treatment group showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p<0.05) compared to the control. Total cholesterol (TC) levels were also higher in the treatment group. While serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly reduced (p<0.05), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels remained unchanged. Conclusion/Recommendations: Prenatal caffeine exposure induces oxidative stress and disrupts reproductive hormonal profiles in F1 generation male piglets. Further studies are warranted to determine the persistence of these effects in subsequent generations (F2 and F3).