Reproductive toxicity of caffeine in Musca domestica

Abstract

Marked changes in fecundity were noticed in houseflies fed caffeine in the diet. Partial treatment of male and female flies with caffeine also altered the oviposition pattern. Hatchability of the eggs was reduced significantly by caffeine. Concomitant with the oviposition effect, ovarian growth was retarded, resulting in abnormal ovaries and malformed eggs. Histological studies of growth‐inhibited ovaries revealed that differentiation of the oocytes was blocked. Caffeine‐fed female flies showed an accumulation of hemolymph protein. In contrast, caffeine‐fed male flies showed a decrease in hemolymph protein compared with controls. Several changes in the electropherogram of hemolymph protein were observed in caffeine‐treated flies. Biochemical analyses of ovaries isolated from caffeine‐fed flies showed that they had less RNA and protein than controls.