EFFECTS of EXERCISE and FOOD RESTRICTION in PREGNANT and NEWBORN RATS - PREPREGNANCY MAXIMUM OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION

Abstract

1. in the present study, the effects of exercise and food restriction in pregnant and newborn rats were investigated.2. the following groups were formed: adequate food supply, with and without exercise (AE and AN) and 30% food restriction, with and without exercise (RE and RN).3. Exercise was performed throughout the pregnancy on a treadmill at a speed of 18 m/min for 30 min/day, which represented 84% of maximum V(O2).4. the results show that food restriction affected body weight pin while exercise only affected the RE group (P < 0.05).5. Body temperature was increased by exercise. the initial temperature was lower in group RE.6. No differences were obtained in average offspring number but reabsorption, preterm and natimortality were observed in group RE.7. Newborn body weight was lowered by food restriction rather than by exercise.8. Newborn brain and heart weights were not affected but lung and liver weights were significantly affected by the nutritional factor (P < 0.05).