Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Universiy of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
2
Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
10.22089/spj.2025.17531.2343
Abstract
Background and Purpose
Antioxidants play an important role in the functioning of the immune system and prevention of some physiological and pathological processes in the body. Studies show that pregnancy and childbirth can lead to some functional disorders in uterine and ovarian tissue with decreasing the activity of antioxidants, changing the level of estrogen and progesterone, and increasing the oxidative stress. At the same time, research shows that physical activity and exercise can affect the function of antioxidants and the occurrence of oxidative stress. The aim of this study is the effect of aerobic exercise before pregnancy and physical activity during pregnancy on oxidative stress of uterine and ovarian tissues of maternal rats after childbirth.
Materials and Methods
for this study, 48 female rats aged 8 weeks were purchased from Karaj Razi Institute. Then the rats were randomly divided into two groups of 24 rats based on their weight. Each of the female groups was a training group and a control group. After familiarization and division, the female exercise groups did aerobic training on the animal treadmill for 6 weeks. In the present study, a training speed of 18-10 meters per minute, equivalent to 60-70% of VO2max, was used. The female rats of the training group performed aerobic training on a treadmill for 6 weeks and 5 days a week. Before starting the main exercises and for the purpose of familiarization, the rats ran on the treadmill for 10-15 minutes at a speed of 5-8 meters per minute with a zero-degree slope for two consecutive days. 2 days after the familiarization training, the main exercises started and the rats performed activities on the treadmill for 6 weeks. The training protocol started in the first week with a speed of 10 meters per minute for 10 minutes at zero slope and in the fifth week it reached a speed of 17-18 meters per minute for 30 minutes. In order to reach the obtained adaptations to a uniform state, all training items were kept constant in the final week (sixth week). After the rats became pregnant, the training groups during pregnancy performed physical activity for approximately 21 days, 5 days a week and one round a day. After finishing of pregnancy period and also three weeks after giving birth, uterine and ovaries tissues of rats were removed and analyzed in the laboratory.
Findings
According to the results obtained through Gabriel's post hoc test, there were significant changes in the levels of TAC (P=0.003), GPX (P=0.015) and SOD (P=0.026) in the ovarian tissue of maternal rats in the aerobic exercise before pregnancy group compared with control group and also in the TAC levels of aerobic exercise before pregnancy and physical activity during pregnancy group compared with control group (P=0.008). Also, the results indicated a significant difference in SOD levels between the aerobic exercise before pregnancy group and the physical activity during pregnancy group(P=0.022). In uterine tissue, significant changes in the level of GPX enzyme (P=0.05) were observed in the pre-pregnancy aerobic exercise group compared with control group, as well as a significant difference between the pre-pregnancy aerobic group and the physical activity during pregnancy group (P=0.037).
Conclusion
Results show that aerobic exercise before pregnancy has a significant effect on improving the levels of antioxidants in the ovarian and uterine tissues of maternal rats after delivery. But it does not cause significant changes in the levels of oxidants in these two tissues. Also, physical activity only during pregnancy in mothers without a history of exercise and sufficient physical fitness not only has no positive effect on the oxidant and antioxidant levels of the uterine and ovarian tissue of mothers, but can even cause a decrease in the levels of antioxidants. Therefore, it seems that long-term aerobic exercise has more effects on the adaptation of the oxidative stress system, so that it has led to the improvement of the antioxidant function in the tissue of the uterus and ovary, which can ultimately affect the health and function of these tissues.
Keywords: aerobic exercise, pregnancy, oxidative stress, uterus, ovary, antioxidant
Article Message: According to the findings of the present study, it can be said that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during pre-pregnancy and continuing physical activity during pregnancy can reduce oxidant markers, improve antioxidant indices, and increase uterine and ovarian tissue adaptation in maternal rats after delivery, which can lead to improved reproductive health and the health of the next generation.
Ethical Considerations: Compliance with ethical guidelines the animal study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of University of Zanjan. (ethic code: IR.ZNU.REC.1402.019)
Funding: This study received no funding from public, commercial or nonprofit organizations.
Authors’ Contributions: All authors contributed to the design, implementation, and writing of all parts of the present study.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgement: We thank all those who helped us in this study.
Keywords
Main Subjects
