Abstract We aimed to evaluate how high-fat diet consumption can interfere with rat reproductive performance and fetal development. High-fat diet (HFD) was initiated in 30-day-old rats, distributed into two groups (n=7 animals/group): Rats receiving a standard diet and rats receiving HFD. At adulthood, the rats were mated, and on day 21 of pregnancy, the females were anesthetized, decapitated, and submitted to laparotomy to obtain visceral and periovarian adipose tissue. The uterine horns were exposed for analysis of maternal reproductive performance. The fetuses and placentas were weighed and analyzed. Pearson’s correlation test was used, and p<0.05 was considered significant. There was a significant positive correlation (HFD consumption x increased periovarian fat) and a negative correlation with the implantation, live fetus numbers and lower litter weight. Furthermore, the increased relative weight of periuterine fat was related to the lower number of live fetuses and litter weight. Regarding the fetal weight classification, there was a negative correlation between the relative weight of periovarian fat and the percentage of fetuses appropriate for gestational age and large for gestational age. Therefore, our findings show that HFD maternal intake negatively influenced on reproductive performance and fetal growth.

Abstract Pregestational hyperglycemia cause adverse effects on mothers and their offspring. We aimed to evaluate the maternal hyperglycemia influence on pre-embryos from diabetic rats and on their generations (daughters and granddaughters). Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats. The mothers and their female pups were submitted to oral glucose tolerance test in adulthood. In day 4 of pregnancy, pre-embryos were collected for morphological analysis. The diabetic mother, daughter and granddaughter rats showed glucose intolerance and their pre-embryos presented developmental delay, degeneration and losses compared to the nondiabetic group. Thus, maternal diabetes transgenerationally affects embryos at early development, which contributes for embryofetal losses.

Abstract This study aimed at evaluating the levels of different maternal exercise intensities on maternal and fetal outcomes. Wistar rats were mated and the pregnant rats were distributed into four experimental groups (n = 13 animals/group): Control (Not exercise group - 0% of the anaerobic threshold- AT), mild (20%), moderate (80%), and heavy-exercise intensity (140% of AT). These AT were matched to the load of 0, 1, 4 and 7% of the body weight of the animal related to swimming-induced physical intensity. In pregnancy, biomarkers related to maternal blood gases, oxidative stress, metabolism, and reproductive performance, and outcomes of their offspring were analyzed. The mild and moderate-swimming caused no change on implantation, live fetus numbers and oxidative stress status. However, the rats submitted to mild-exercise presented respiratory alkalosis and the heavy-exercise group showed respiratory acidosis. In addition, fetuses of the heavy-exercise dams were smaller for gestational age and lower serum adiponectin levels compared to those of other groups. In conclusion, the moderate-exercise intensity caused beneficial effects for maternal environment and the mild and moderate-exercise presented similar fetal repercussions. Nevertheless, the heavy-exercise intensity caused maternal metabolic alterations that damaged the fetal growth. Therefore, these findings confirm that physical intensity should be carefully conducted to avoid maternal complications and, consequently, compromised fetal repercussions.

Abstract Fructose consumption has increased worldwide, and it has been associated with the development of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance (IR) and steatosis. The aim was to evaluate if lower fructose concentrations may cause pancreatic structural abnormalities, leading to a glucose intolerance without steatosis in male rats. Young male rats orally received 7% fructose solution for 12 weeks. Body weight, food, water, and energy intake were measured. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. After final experimental period, all rats were anaesthetized and killed. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses and organs (liver and pancreas) were processed for morphological analyses. Fructose consumption was not associated with lipid accumulation in liver. However, fructose administration was associated with an increased area under curve from OGTT and an increased percentage of insulin-positive cells, high beta cell mass and reduced pancreatic islet area. Fructose supplementation (7%) did not cause steatosis, but it led to abnormal morphology and function of pancreatic islet cells, contributing for glucose intolerance development. Our findings demonstrate that even low fructose concentrations may cause deleterious effects in animals.

ABSTRACT Several studies present different methodologies and results about intensity exercise, and many of them are performed in male rats. However, the impact of different type, intensity, frequency and duration of exercise on female rats needs more investigation. From the analysis of blood lactate concentration during lactate minimum test (LacMin) in the swimming exercise, the anaerobic threshold (AT) was identified, which parameter is defined as the transition point between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. LacMin test is considered a good indicator of aerobic conditioning and has been used in prescription of training in different exercise modalities. However, there is no evidence of LacMin test in female rats. The objective was to determine AT in non-pregnant and pregnant Wistar rats. The LacMin test was performed and AT defined for mild exercise intensity was from a load equivalent to 1% of body weight (bw), moderate exercise as carrying 4% bw and severe intensity as carrying 7% bw. In pregnant rats, the AT was reached at a lower loading from 5.0% to 5.5% bw, while in non-pregnant the load was from 5.5% to 6.0% bw. Thus, this study was effective to identify exercise intensities in pregnant and non-pregnant rats using anaerobic threshold by LacMin test.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare two models of swimming applied to pregnant rats born small for pregnancy age (SPA). Diabetes was chemically induced in adult female rats to develop an inadequate intrauterine environment, leading to birth of a SPA offspring. In adulthood, the female SPA rats were mated and submitted to different swimming programs. The exercise program 1 (Ex1) consisted of swimming for 15 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of rest and another 15 minutes of swimming, 3 days a week before and during pregnancy. Another program (Ex2) was applied during 60 minutes uninterrupted a day, 6 days/week during pregnancy. The pregnant rats presented no interference on body weight and glycemia. The rats submitted to Ex2 model showed decreased insulin and blood glucose levels by oral glucose tolerance test, and reduction in area under curve values. The offspring from dams submitted to both exercise protocols presented an increased rate of newborns SPA. However, the offspring from Ex2 dams showed percentage twice higher of newborns SPA than Ex1 offspring. Our data suggests that continuous exercise of 60 min/day ameliorated the enhanced peripheral insulin sensitivity in growth-restricted females. However, this protocol employed at pregnancy leads to intrauterine growth restriction.

ABSTRACT Bauhinia holophylla, commonly known as “cow’s hoof”, is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for the diabetes treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was at evaluating the aqueous extract effect of Bauhinia holophylla leaves treatment on the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by Streptozotocin (40 mg/Kg) in female Wistar rats. Oral administration of aqueous extract of Bauhinia holophylla leaves was given to non-diabetic and diabetic rats at a dose of 400 mg/kg during 21 days. On day 17 of treatment, the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test was performed to determine the area under the curve. At the end of the treatment, the animals were anesthetized and blood was collected for serum biochemical parameters analysis. After treatment with Bauhinia holophylla extract, non-diabetic and diabetic rats presented no glycemic changes. On the other hand, the plant treatment decreased body weight and increased ALT and AST activities. In conclusion, the treatment with aqueous extract of B. holophylla leaves given to diabetic rats presented no hypoglycemic effect in nondiabetic animals and no antidiabetic effect in diabetic animals with the doses studied. In addition, the diabetic animals treated with the B. holophylla extract showed inconvenient effects and its indiscriminate consumption requires particular carefulness.

Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar os efeitos da suplementação de óleo de coco (SOC) na composição corporal e no perfil lipídico de ratos submetidos ao exercício físico. Os animais (n=6 por grupo) foram divididos aleatoriamente em: G1=sedentários e não-suplementados (Grupo Controle), G2=sedentários e suplementados, G3=exercitados e não-suplementados e G4=exercitados e suplementados. O protocolo da SOC foi 3 mL/Kg de massa corporal por gavagem durante 28 dias. O exercício físico foi o treinamento de salto vertical durante 28 dias. Foram avaliados o perfil da massa corporal, Índice de Lee, glicemia e perfil lipídico. A SOC não modificou a massa corporal, mas a massa corporal magra foi menor no G3 em relação ao G2. O Índice de Lee final classificou G1 e G2 como obesos (>30g/cm). O perfil lipídico mostrou que o colesterol total estava menor no G3, a concentração de LDL-c estava menor no G2, as concentrações de triglicerídeos, VLDL-c e HDL-c estavam maiores nos G2 e G4 em relação aos G1 e G3. A suplementação promoveu diminuição da razão LDL-c/HDL-c. Conclui-se que a SOC associada ou não ao exercício físico piora alguns parâmetros lipídicos, como os níveis de triglicerídeos e VLDL-c, sugerindo cuidado com o uso de suplementos lipídicos.

This study aims to verify the effects of coconut oil supplementation (COS) in the body composition and lipid profile of rats submitted to physical exercise. The animals (n=6 per group) were randomly assigned to: G1=Sedentary and Non-supplemented (Control Group), G2=Sedentary and Supplemented, G3=Exercised and Non-supplemented and G4=Exercised and Supplemented. The COS protocol used was 3 mL/Kg of body mass by gavage for 28 days. The physical exercise was the vertical jumping training for 28 days. It was determined the body mass parameters, Lee Index, blood glucose and lipid profile. The COS did not interfere with body mass, but the lean body mass was lower in G3 compared to G2. The final Lee Index classified G1 and G2 as obese (>30g/cm). The lipid profile showed total cholesterol was decreased in G3, LDL-c concentration was decreased in G2, triglycerides, VLDL-c and HDL-c concentrations were increased in G2 and G4 in relation to G1 and G3. The COS decreased LDL-c/HDL-c ratio. In conclusion, the COS associated or not to physical exercise worsen others lipid parameters, like triglycerides and VLDL-c level, showing the care with the use of lipid supplements.

Citrus aurantium L., conhecida popularmente como laranja amarga, é amplamente utilizada na medicina popular, mas há poucos dados na literatura sobre seus efeitos na gestação. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a influencia do óleo essencial obtido das frutas de Citrus aurantium no desempenho reprodutivo materno e na incidência de anomalias fetais em ratos. Ratas Wistar prenhes foram randomizadas em quarto grupos (n mínimo = 12 animais/grupo): G1 = controle, G2 à G4 = tratados com óleo essencial de C. aurantium nas doses de 125, 250 e 500 mg/kg, respectivamente. Ratas foram tratadas oralmente, por gavage, com óleo essencial da planta ou veículo durante os períodos de pré-implantação e organogênese (dias de prenhez 0-14). No dia 20 de prenhez as ratas foram anestesiadas e o útero foi pesado com seu conteúdo e os fetos foram analisados. Resultados mostraram que o grupo tratado com 500 mg/kg apresentou diminuição do peso e índice placentário, embora o tratamento com óleo essencial de laranja amarga não mostrou nenhuma alteração no desempenho reprodutivo materno, efeito tóxico, mudanças na ossificação e nas taxas de malformações. Concluindo, o tratamento com óleo essencial de Citrus aurantium não foi teratogênico e não alterou o desempenho reprodutivo materno.

Citrus aurantium L., commonly known as bitter orange, is widely used in folk medicine, but there is little data in the literature about the effects on pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of essential oil obtained from fruits of Citrus aurantium on the maternal reproductive outcome and fetal anomaly incidence in rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n minimum = 12 animals/group): G1 = control, G2 to G4 = treated with essential oil from C. aurantium at dose 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Rats were orally treated, by gavage, with plant essential oil or vehicle during pre-implantation and organogenic period (gestational day 0-14). On gestational day 20 the rats were anaesthetized and the gravid uterus was weighed with its contents and the fetuses were analyzed. Results showed that the treated group with 500 mg/kg presented decreased placental weights and placental index, although the treatment with bitter orange essential oil did not show any alteration in maternal reproductive performance, toxicological effect, changes in ossification sites, and malformation index. In conclusion, the treatment of Citrus aurantium essential oil was not teratogenic and did not alter the maternal reproductive outcome.