Consequences of the modulation of gestational resistance training intensity for placental cell composition and nutrient transporter expression

Abstract

Introduction

Resistance training during pregnancy provides benefits for the mother and fetus, but little is known about the effects of resistance training on placental structure and function or the repercussions of modifying resistance training intensity on the mother-fetus-placenta triad.

Methods

Female Wistar rats were submitted to resistance training involving a ladder climb (80 % of maximum load carried (MLC), 5-day/week for 3-weeks) before pregnancy. After confirmation of mating, the rats were randomly divided into three groups, according to resistance training intensity during pregnancy: constant-intensity training (CIT, trained at 80 % of MLC through gestation), decreasing-intensity training (DIT, 80 % of MLC during first and second weeks of gestation and 50 % of MLC in the third week), and undulating-intensity training (UIT, 50 % of MLC in the first and third weeks, and 80 % of MLC in the second week). A control group did not undergo any training. Samples were collected on gestational day 20.

Results

Resistance training had no impact on maternal body weight, muscle glycogen content, adipocyte morphology, number of fetuses, number of absorptions, placental area, or fetal growth parameters. The CIT group presented lower maternal serum glucose. The UIT group presented increased presence of fetal capillaries in the labyrinth zone and increased Glut1, Glut3, and Snat1 expression in the placenta. Snat2 expression was upregulated in all resistance training groups and higher levels of Mtor expression were found in the DIT group. Il1b expression increased in the CIT group, and higher levels of Il10 expression were found in the DIT and UIT groups.

Discussion

Resistance training was safe for pregnant rats. Its influence on glucose and amino acid transport was not dependent on changes in Mtor expression and did not impact fetal growth.