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Influence of Swimming Program on the Blood Pressure of Pregnant Hypertensive Rats and Their Fetuses

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Abstract

The hypertension incidence and its complication on pregnant women are growing and can lead to adverse consequences on their fetuses. However, it is known that regular exercise practice can be healthful to hypertensive pregnant women but harmful to fetal growth. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise beginning before pregnancy or during pregnancy on the maternal blood pressure and reproductive outcome and on the fetal development of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Pregnant SHR were randomly distributed into three experimental groups: (1) SHR-Control, non-exercised; (2) SHR-Ex0, rats submitted to physical exercise (swimming program) from day zero to 20 of pregnancy; (3) and SHR-ExPr, rats submitted to swimming program before and during pregnancy. At end of pregnancy (day 21), the rats were anesthetized, and reproductive parameters and fetal development were assessed. Blood pressure was reduced at the end of pregnancy in all the groups. Regardless of swimming exposure time, there was reduced maternal weight gain. The exercise decreased fetal weight at term pregnancy, with a higher percentage of small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses and lower number ossification sites, indicating intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In conclusion, our findings provide insight to support that swimming exercise in pregnant SHR impairs fetal development, causing IUGR and visceral malformations. Therefore, the indication of physical exercise must be defined very carefully, as it can compromise fetal development.

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Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to Mr. Claudio Benedito Silva and Carlos Roberto G. Lima, Academic Support Assistants (ASA) of the Experimental Research Unit (UNIPEX) of the Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, for the excellent technical assistance; Dr. José Eduardo Corrente, Office of Research Support, for statistical analysis; and the financial support provided by CAPES (Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement)—financial code 001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

    Letícia de B. Sene, Débora C. Damasceno, Isabela L. Iessi & José C. Peraçoli

  2. University of Taubaté, Taubaté, São Paulo State, Brazil

    Renato Rocha

  3. Laboratory of System Physiology and Reproductive Toxicology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

    Gustavo T. Volpato

  4. Laboratório FisioTox, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso (UFMT), Av. Valdon Varjão, 6390, CEP. 78600-000, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brasil

    Gustavo T. Volpato

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  1. Letícia de B. Sene
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  2. Débora C. Damasceno
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Contributions

JCP, RR, and GTV are the project leaders for the study. DCD, GTV, and LAS wrote the first draft and made revisions. DCD, GTV, and LAS conducted the data analysis. DCD, RR, and GTV directed the work. DCD, GTV, ILI, and LAS contributed to the interpretation of the results and critically commented and provided revisions to the manuscript. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Gustavo T. Volpato.

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Sene, L.d.B., Damasceno, D.C., Rocha, R. et al. Influence of Swimming Program on the Blood Pressure of Pregnant Hypertensive Rats and Their Fetuses. Reprod. Sci. 28, 3440–3447 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00617-z

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