Effects of administration of caffeine on metabolic variables in neonatal pigs with peripartum asphyxia
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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
A Piglet Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Published on: May 16, 2015
Héctor Orozco-Gregorio1, Daniel Mota-Rojas, Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime
1Department of Animal Production and Agriculture, Área de Investigación: Ecodesarrollo de la Producción Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Xochimilco, CP 04960, México DF.
Objective:
To determine effects of 2 doses of caffeine on metabolic variables in neonatal pigs with peripartum asphyxia.
Animals:
180 neonatal pigs.
Procedures:
Neonatal pigs were assigned to 2 groups (groups P and F) on the basis of results for a vitality scale (passed or failed, respectively). Within each group, there were 3 subgroups of 30 pigs each. Within each group, the 3 subgroups received a placebo that consisted of an empty gelatin capsule, a gelatin capsule that contained 20 mg of caffeine, and a gelatin capsule that contained 35 mg of caffeine, respectively; all capsules were administered orally (0 hours). Blood samples were collected immediately before and 24 hours after capsule administration.
Results:
Pigs in groups P and F that received 20 or 35 mg of caffeine had significant increases in triglyceride concentrations. All pigs in groups P and F had a significant decrease in lactate concentrations, although the placebo-treated pigs in group F had larger decreases than did the group F pigs treated with 20 or 35 mg of caffeine. Glucose concentrations increased significantly in group F pigs treated with 20 or 35 mg of caffeine (30% and 50%, respectively), whereas glucose concentrations remained unchanged in group P pigs. In pigs treated with 35 mg of caffeine, the final weight obtained for group F was approximately 8% lower than that obtained for group P.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Administering caffeine immediately after birth to neonatal pigs with severe oxygen restriction resulted in significant improvements in metabolic variables.
