Effect of Maternal Training Before and During Pregnancy on the Lipid Profile in Wistar Rat Offspring

Abstract

Background and Objectives The fetal period is an important stage in a person’s life. Exercise during pregnancy has been considered as a positive factor in preventing chronic diseases in adulthood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of maternal high intensity exercise before and during pregnancy on serum levels of lipid profile of adult offspring. Subjects and Methods Twenty-four rats (170-200g) were divided into three maternal groups: Control (C), exercise Before Pregnancy (BP) and exercise before and during pregnancy (BDP). Exercise performed before pregnancy for six weeks and during pregnancy for three weeks; one minute with 80% -95% vo2max switching with two minutes of active recovery (65% vo2max) for five days/week. After end of the training birth process and breastfeeding, the offspring were divided according to theirs’s mother group and they were kept until adult age. The serum levels of LDL, HDL, TG and Cho were measured by enzymic method. Results The one-way ANOVA result showed that maternal exercise before and during pregnancy significantly reduced LDL, Cho and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio in male (P=0.03, P=0.2, P=0.04) and female (P=0.00, P=0.02, P=0.04) offspring. Conclusion This finding suggests that maternal high-intensity-interval training as an appropriate environmental intervention can help to improve the health of the next generation.