Limite de viabilidade de prematuros extremos atendidos em um hospital universitário / Limit of viability of extremely preterm infants treated at a university hospital / Límite de viabilidad de prematuros extremos atendidos en un hospital universitario

Objetivo: descrever o perfil de recém-nascidos com prematuridade extrema e identificar fatores associados a mortalidade segundo idade gestacional e o limite de viabilidade destes. Método: estudo observacional retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado em um hospital universitário do estado de Minas Gerais, desenvolvido de agosto de 2021 a janeiro de 2022. A amostra foi composta por 39 prontuários de prematuros extremos nascidos vivos. Foi realizada a análise descritiva das variáveis quantitativas usando medidas como média, desvio-padrão e valores mínimo e máximo. As variáveis categóricas foram descritas a partir de suas distribuições de frequência absoluta e percentual. Resultados: a maioria das gestantes são mulheres adultos-jovens, realizaram pré-natal e parto cesárea. Dos prematuros prevalece sexo masculino, idade gestacional de 25 semanas, evoluíram para óbito a maioria destes com idade gestacional de 23 e 24 semanas. Conclusão: o limite de viabilidade nesse serviço situa-se em uma idade gestacional igual ou maior que 25 semanas.

Objective: to describe the profile of newborns with extreme prematurity and to identify factors associated with mortality according to gestational age and their limit of viability. Method: a retrospective observational study, with a quantitative approach, carried out in a university hospital in the state of Minas Gerais, developed from August 2021 to January 2022. The sample consisted of 39 records of live-born extreme preterm infants. Descriptive analysis of quantitative variables was performed using measures such as mean, standard deviation and minimum and maximum values. Categorical variables were described from their absolute and percentage frequency distributions. Results: most pregnant women are young-adult women, who underwent prenatal care and cesarean delivery. Of the preterm infants, the male sex prevails, with a gestational age of 25 weeks, most of whom died at a gestational age of 23 and 24 weeks. Conclusion: the limit of viability in this service is at a gestational age equal to or greater than 25 weeks.

Objetivo: describir el perfil de los recién nacidos con prematuridad extrema e identificar los factores asociados a la mortalidad según la edad gestacional y su límite de viabilidad. Método: estudio observacional retrospectivo, con abordaje cuantitativo, realizado en un hospital universitario del estado de Minas Gerais, desarrollado entre agosto de 2021 y enero de 2022. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 39 prontuarios de prematuros extremos nacidos vivos. El análisis descriptivo de las variables cuantitativas se realizó utilizando medidas como la media, la desviación estándar y los valores mínimo y máximo. Las variables categóricas se describieron a partir de sus distribuciones de frecuencia absoluta y porcentual. Resultados: la mayoría de las gestantes son mujeres adultas jóvenes, que realizaron control prenatal y parto por cesárea. De los prematuros prevalece el sexo masculino, con una edad gestacional de 25 semanas, la mayoría de los cuales fallecieron a las 23 y 24 semanas de edad gestacional. Conclusión: el límite de viabilidad en este servicio es a una edad gestacional igual o mayor a 25 semanas.

Histerectomia radical após parto cesáreo por adenocarcinoma de colo uterino: relato de caso / Radical hysterectomy after c-section in cervical adenocarcinoma: a case report

Mundialmente, o câncer de colo uterino ocupa o quarto lugar das neoplasias em mulheres, porém, nos países em desenvolvimento, as taxas de incidência superam de forma impactante os casos de países desenvolvidos. Apesar de ser um evento incomum durante a gestação, é cada vez mais observado, o que talvez possa ser atribuído às gestações programadas em idades mais avançadas. O caso descrito refere-se a uma paciente de 32 anos de idade, diagnosticada no terceiro trimestre da gestação com adenocarcinoma de origem endocervical com estadiamento anatomopatológico final (FIGO 2018) 1B2. Ela foi submetida à abordagem cirúrgica como tratamento inicial. Foi adotada como conduta a resolução da gestação, com boa vitalidade fetal, ao final da 34ª semana, após corticoterapia para maturação pulmonar fetal. Foi realizado parto cesariano seguido de histerectomia radical tipo C1 na classificação de Querleu e Morrow associado a linfadenectomia pélvica, no mesmo ato operatório.(AU)

Worldwide, cervical cancer ranks fourth in female cancers, but when assessing data from developing countries, incidence rates are significantly higher than in developed countries. Although it is an uncommon event during pregnancy, it is increasingly observed, which may perhaps be justified due to pregnancies postponed at older ages. The case described relates to a 32-year-old woman diagnosed in the third trimester of pregnancy with endocervical adenocarcinoma, whose final anatomopathological staging (FIGO 2018) was IB2. The same was submitted to the surgical approach as an initial treatment. It was adopted as a conduct, the resolution of pregnancy, with good fetal viability, at the end of the 34th week, after corticosteroid therapy for fetal lung maturation. The patient underwent cesarean section followed by radical type C1 hysterectomy in the classification of Querleu and Morrow associated with pelvic lymphadenectomy in the same surgery.(AU)

COVID-19 grave y embarazo: a propósito de dos casos alrededor de la viabilidad fetal / Severe COVID-19 and pregnancy: on purpose of 2 cases around fetal viability

Resumen El presente trabajo describe la evolución de dos casos clínicos graves de COVID-19 en pacientes embarazadas con 27 y 24 semanas de amenorrea. A partir de estos casos se resume la evidencia disponible en la literatura en relación con el curso grave de la enfermedad durante el embarazo y se sugieren guías para considerar en la reflexión multidisciplinaria que permite manejar y resolver casos similares.

Abstract The present article describes the evolution of two clinical cases of severe COVID-19 in pregnant patients with 27 and 24 weeks of gestational weeks. The available up-to-date evidence about severe course of the disease during pregnancy is resumed. Management guides are suggested for the multidisciplinary approach of similar cases.

Desfecho bem-sucedido de um pré-termo com oligoidrâmnio severo e ruptura prematura de membranas (RUPREME) com 18 semanas de gestação: relato de caso / Successful outcome of a preterm infant with severe oligohydramnios and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at 18 weeks' gestation: case report

RESUMO Introdução: A ruptura prematura de membranas (RUPREME) ocorre em 3-5% das gestações e está relacionada a graves complica- ções maternas e fetais, especialmente se ocorrer abaixo das 24 semanas de idade gestacional (IG). Descrição: Trata-se de relato de caso com ruptura prematura de membranas com 18 semanas de IG e desfecho gestacional favorável. Discussão: Nascimento com 33 semanas de IG, alta hospitalar do após 34 dias na Unidade de Internação Neonatal sem sequelas significativas. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Oligoidrâmnios, ruptura prematura das membranas fetais, viabilidade fetal.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs in 3-5% of pregnancies and is related to serious maternal and fetal complications, especially if it occurs below 24 weeks of gestational age (GA). Description: This is a case report with premature rupture of membranes at 18 weeks of GA and favorable gestational outcome. Discussion: Birth at 33 weeks of GA, discharge from hospital after 34 days in the Neonatal Inpatient Unit without significant sequelae. KEYWORDS: Oligohydramnios, premature rupture of fetal membranes, fetal viability, premature birth

Information Order for Periviable Counseling: Does It Make a Difference?

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the order of presenting survival vs disability information, with or without the description of infant neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experiences would influence treatment choice during hypothetical periviable birth counseling. STUDY DESIGN: An internet sample of childbearing-aged women (n = 839) viewed a pictograph displaying the chances of survival and a pictograph on the chances of disability for a baby resuscitated during the periviable period. The sample was randomized to the order of pictographs and level of description of infant NICU experiences. Participants selected between intensive care or comfort care and reported their personal values. RESULTS: The order of the information influenced treatment choices (P = .02); participants were more likely to choose intensive care if they saw the survival pictograph first (70%) than the disability pictograph first (62%). Level of description of premature infant NICU experiences did not influence treatment choice (P = .92). Participants who valued sanctity of life, autonomy in making decisions, who were more religious, and had adequate health literacy were more likely to choose intensive care. Such participant characteristics had greater explanatory power than the experimental manipulations. CONCLUSIONS: Subtle differences in how information is presented may influence critical decisions. However, even among women with the same values, diversity in treatment choice remains.

Proactive neonatal treatment at 22 weeks of gestation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify prognosis and identify factors associated with variations in reported mortality estimates among infants who were born at 22 weeks of gestation and provided proactive treatment (resuscitation and intensive care). DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, with no language restrictions, were searched for articles published from January 2000 to February 2020. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Reports on live-born infants who were delivered at 22 weeks of gestation and provided proactive care were included. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge; secondary outcomes included survival without major morbidity and survival without neurodevelopmental impairment. Because we expected differences across studies in the definitions for various morbidities, multiple definitions for composite outcomes of major morbidities were prespecified. Neurodevelopmental impairment was based on Bayley Scales of Infant Development II or III. Data extractions were performed independently, and outcomes agreed on a priori. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. An adapted version of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach for prognostic studies was used to evaluate confidence in overall estimates. Outcomes were assessed as prevalence and 95% confidence intervals. Variabilities across studies attributable to heterogeneity were estimated with the I2 statistic; publication bias was assessed with the Luis Furuya-Kanamori index. Data were pooled using the inverse variance heterogeneity model. RESULTS: Literature searches returned 21,952 articles, with 2034 considered in full; 31 studies of 2226 infants who were delivered at 22 weeks of gestation and provided proactive neonatal treatment were included. No articles were excluded for study design or risk of bias. The pooled prevalence of survival was 29.0% (95% confidence interval, 17.2-41.6; 31 studies, 2226 infants; I2=79.4%; Luis Furuya-Kanamori index=0.04). Survival among infants born to mothers receiving antenatal corticosteroids was twice the survival of infants born to mothers not receiving antenatal corticosteroids (39.0% vs 19.5%; P<.01). The overall prevalence of survival without major morbidity, using a definition that includes any bronchopulmonary dysplasia, was 11.0% (95% confidence interval, 8.0-14.3; 10 studies, 374 infants; I2=0%; Luis Furuya-Kanamori index=3.02). The overall rate of survival without moderate or severe impairment was 37.0% (95% confidence interval, 14.6-61.5; 5 studies, 39 infants; I2=45%; Luis Furuya-Kanamori index=-0.15). Based on the year of publication, survival rates increased between 2000 and 2020 (slope of the regression line=0.09; standard error=0.03; P<.01). Studies were highly diverse with regard to interventions and outcomes reported. CONCLUSION: The reported survival rates varied greatly among studies and were likely influenced by combining observational data from disparate sources, lack of individual patient-level data, and bias in the component studies from which the data were drawn. Therefore, pooled results should be interpreted with caution. To answer fundamental questions beyond the breadth of available data, multicenter, multidisciplinary collaborations, including alignment of important outcomes by stakeholders, are needed.

A multicentre study to predict neonatal survival according to lung-to-head ratio and liver herniation in fetuses with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH): Hidden mortality from the Latin American CDH Study Group Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate natural history of fetuses congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) prenatally diagnosed in countries where termination of pregnancy is not legally allowed and to predict neonatal survival according to lung area and liver herniation. METHODS: Prospective study including antenatally diagnosed CDH cases managed expectantly during pregnancy in six tertiary Latin American centres. The contribution of the observed/expected lung-to-head ratio (O/E-LHR) and liver herniation in predicting neonatal survival was assessed. RESULTS: From the total population of 380 CDH cases, 144 isolated fetuses were selected showing an overall survival rate of 31.9% (46/144). Survivors showed significantly higher O/E-LHR (56.5% vs 34.9%; P < .001), lower proportion of liver herniation (34.8% vs 80.6%, P < .001), and higher gestational age at birth (37.8 vs 36.2 weeks, P < 0.01) than nonsurvivors. Fetuses with an O/E-LHR less than 35% showed a 3.4% of survival; those with an O/E-LHR between 35% and 45% showed 28% of survival with liver up and 50% with liver down; those with an O/E-LHR greater than 45% showed 50% of survival rate with liver up and 76.9% with liver down. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal mortality in CDH is higher in Latin American countries. The category of lung hypoplasia should be classified according to the survival rates in our Latin American CDH registry.

Influence of the AT1 Receptor Antagonists Telmisartan and Losartan on Reproduction and Offspring After Paternal Exposure to Ionizing Radiation.

This study evaluated the repercussions of paternal exposure to radiation on reproduction and offspring in rats, as well as whether treatment with the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonists telmisartan and losartan has a mitigating effect. Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, radiation, telmisartan, losartan, radiation + telmisartan, and radiation + losartan. A single 5 Gy dose of radiation was administered directly into the scrotum, followed by treatment with telmisartan (12 mg/kg/d) or losartan (34 mg/kg/2 times per day) for 60 days in the groups receiving these medications. The reproductive ability of the test animals was assessed before and after exposure to radiation via fertility tests. The resulting offspring were analyzed for the presence of external and internal anomalies. Ionizing radiation significantly affected the rates of fertility, pre- and postimplantation losses, and implantation. Telmisartan and losartan did not significantly prevent this radiation-induced damage. The frequency of fetal anomalies was similar in offspring produced before and after paternal radiation exposure. Moreover, irradiated rats that received treatments and were able to generate offspring did not produce fetuses with morphological changes; this may represent a possible radioprotective effect AT1 antagonists have on offspring development, although few fetuses survived and were evaluated for malformations. Although the study findings indicate that these medications have a positive effect, further studies with longer treatment periods (extending beyond 1 rat spermatogenic cycle) are needed to determine whether these drugs significantly improve reproductive rates after paternal exposure to radiation, which may also reflect an increase in the number of viable fetuses.

Morbimortalidad de recién nacidos prematuros extremos atendidos en el hospital de los valles desde enero 2014 a diciembre 2018 / Morbimortality of extreme premature newborns treated in the valleys hospital from January 2014 to December 2018

Introducción. La neonatología del Hospital de los Valles (HDLV) es un centro de referencia de cuarto nivel con atención de pacientes prematuros que presentan un mayor riesgo de morbimortalidad y en quienes aún hay debate sobre la edad gestacional aceptable para aunar esfuerzos en tratamiento y sobrevida. En los Estados Unidos, la tasa de nacimientos prematuros, que había aumentado constantemente durante la década de 1990 y principios de 2000, ha disminuido anualmente durante 7 años y ahora es aproximadamente del 11,39%. La viabilidad humana, definida como la edad gestacional en la que la posibilidad de supervivencia es del 50%, actualmente es de aproximadamente 23 a 24 semanas en los países desarrollados, con una supervivencia de prematuros de 25 semanas superior al 60%. Materiales y Métodos. Es un estudio descriptivo transversal de tipo retrospectivo, en el que se tomó como población a todos los niños nacidos antes de las 28 semanas de gestación atendidos en el Hospital de los Valles desde enero del 2014 a diciembre del 2018, se obtuvieron los datos de la base de datos EpicLatino y de las historias clínicas de los pacientes, Los datos obtenidos fueron ingresados en el programa Excel para su tabulación y análisis. Resultados. Entre enero del 2014 a diciembre del 2018 se registraron 1710 pacientes de los cuales 479 son prematuros y de estos 29 son prematuros extremos. Se registraron 8 fallecimientos 5 de los cuales nacieron fuera de la institución, la edad gestacional más temprana con sobrevida es de 24.5 semanas y el menor peso registrado es de 575 gramos, la morbilidad más comúnmente asociada a la prematurez extrema en orden descendente es enfermedad de membrana hialina, anemia, sepsis y broncodisplasia pulmonar, no hay registro de retinopatía y se reportaron 6 casos de hemorragia intraventricular. El peso promedio de alta es de 2045 gramos, con 16 pacientes enviados a casa con oxigeno domiciliario. Conclusión. La neonatología del HDLV presta atención de cuarto nivel con una sobrevida en pacientes menores de 28 semanas de edad gestacional comparable con otras instituciones a nivel mundial, con una mejor respuesta en pacientes nacidos dentro de la propia institución, es importante que los pacientes que tengan riesgo de nacer a edades gestacionales muy cortas sean derivados oportunamente a instituciones con mayor capacidad resolutiva en bien del paciente y su familia.

is an increased risk of morbidity and mortality and in whom there is still debate about the acceptable gestational age to combine efforts in treatment and survival. In the United States, the rate of premature births, which had steadily increased during the 1990s and early 2000s, has decreased annually for 7 years and now is approximately 11.39%. Human viability, defined as gestational age in which the possibility of survival is 50%, currently is approximately 23 to 24 weeks in developed countries, with a survival of preterm infants of 25 weeks greater than 60% . Materials and methods. This is a cross-sectional, retrospective descriptive study, in which all children born before the 28 weeks of gestation attended at the Hospital de los Valles from January 2014 to December 2018 were taken as a population. EpicLatino database and the patient's medical records. The data obtained were entered into the Excel program for tabulation and analysis. Results Between January 2014 and December 2018, 1710 patients were registered, of whom 479 are premature and of these 29 are premature preterm infants. There were 8 deaths 5 of which were born out of the institution, the earliest gestational age with survival is 24.5 weeks and the lowest recorded weight is 575 grams, the morbidity most commonly associated with extreme prematurity in descending order is disease. hyaline membrane, anemia, sepsis and pulmonary bronchodysplasia, there is no record of retinopathy and 6 cases of intraventricular hemorrhage were reported. The average dischange weight is 2045 grams, with 16 patients sent home with home oxygen. Conclusion. HDLV neonatology provides fourth level care with a survival in patients younger than 28 weeks gestational age comparable with other institutions worldwide, with a better response in patients born within the institution itself, it is important that patients at risk of being born at very short gestational ages are opportunely referred to institutions with greater resolutive capacity for the good of the patient and his family.

Resultados adversos maternos e neonatais de gestações acometidas por ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares da viabilidade / Adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies affected by premature rupture of ovarian membranes from viability

Objetivo: avaliar os resultados adversos neonatais e maternos após a conduta expectante na ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares (RPMO) entre 18 e 26 semanas e identificar fatores prognósticos para os desfechos neonatais. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo que analisou todas as gestantes com diagnóstico de RPMO entre 180/7 e 260/7 semanas admitidas em dois centros terciários de 2005 a 2016. Os resultados adversos neonatais (mortalidade ou desenvolvimento de pelo menos uma morbidade grave) e maternos foram analisados e comparados entre 4 grupos conforme a idade gestacional em que a PROM ocorreu: (a) 180/7 e 200/7semanas, (b) 201/7 e 220/7semanas, (c) 221/7 e 240/7semanas e (d) 240/1 e 260/7semanas. Foi realizada uma análise multivariada para identificar os fatores preditores independentes para os desfechos adversos neonatais, e calculou-se a área sob as curvas ROC (receiver operating characteristics curves) para peso e idade gestacional ao nascer. Resultados: foram identificadas 101 mulheres com RPMO neste período, 4 foram excluídas, sendo 02 por diagnóstico de malformação fetal e 02 por apresentar gestação múltipla. Dentre as 97 pacientes recentes, 30 (30,9%) evoluíram para aborto espontâneo ou para natimorto, 67 (69,1%) deram à luz a recém-nascidos vivos (RN), 45 destes receberam alta hospitalar (46,3%). Desfechos adversos neonatais graves foram observados em 53 (54,6%) RN, sendo 22 óbitos (22,6%). A mediana dos períodos de latência foi de 7 dias, com 36 (37,1%) gestantes evoluindo para parto em 2 a 14 dias. Dentro das 29 pacientes com RPMO entre 241/7 ­ 260/7 semanas, apenas 13 (44,8%) tiveram o parto entre 2 e 14 dias. A análise multivariada demonstrou que o único preditor independente para desfecho neonatal adverso foi o peso ao nascer. As principais complicações maternas foram corioamnionite (38/97) e retenção placentária (26/97). Não houve diferença entre os 4 grupos para as complicações infecciosas e houve uma diminuição significativa na frequência de retenção placentária e necessidade de curetagem com a evolução do tempo gestacional. Conclusão: diagnóstico de RPMO entre 180/7 e 260/7 semanas foi associado a elevada morbidade materna e neonatal. A mortalidade neonatal também foi alta, e o único fator prognóstico identificado foi o peso ao nascimento.

Objective: to assess neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes following expectant management of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 18 and 26 weeks and to identify maternal morbidity and prognostic factors for neonatal outcomes. Methods: restrospective data were collected from all pregnant womem who presented PPROM between 18+0 ­ 26+0 weeks admitted into two tertiary center in Brazil from 2005­2016. The neonatal adverse outcomes (mortality or the development of a severe morbidity) and maternal adverse outcome were analyzed and compared among 4 groups (180/7-200/7 weeks, 20+1­ 220/7 weeks, 22+1­ 240/7 weeks and 24+1­ 260/7 weeks). A multiple logistic regression was performed for each predictor of neonatal adverse outcomes, and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curves for birth weight and gestacional age at birth were calculated. Results: We identified 101 pregnant women with PPROM during the study period, 4 were excluded, 02 for fetal anomaly and 02 for twin pregnancy. Among 97 eligible women, 30 (30.9%) evolved to miscarriage or stillbirth, 67 (69.1%) to livebirth, and 45 newborns survived to discharge (46,3%). Severe adverse neonatal outcome occured in 53 cases (54,6%), 22 (22.6%) deaths. The median of latency period was 7 days, with 36 (37.1%) patients ended the pregnancy up 2 to 14 days. Among 29 patients with PPROM at 24+1­ 260/7 weeks, only 13 (44.8%) had the delivery between 2 and 14 days. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the only independent predictor for severe adverse neonatal outcome was birthweight. The main maternal morbidities were chorioamnionitis (38/97) and placental retention (26/97). There was no difference between the 4 groups for infectious complications and there was a significant decrease in the frequency of placental retention and the need for winter curettage with the evolution of pregnancy. Conclusion: PPROM between 18+0 and 26+0 weeks was associated with high maternal and neonatal morbidity. The neonatal mortality was also high, and the only significant independent predictor of severe adverse neonatal outcomes founded was birthweight.

Arsenic trioxide exposure impairs testicular morphology in adult male mice and consequent fetus viability.

The acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a rare disease, affecting 0.1/100,000 individuals globally. Despite significant advances in APL therapy, some patients still experience relapsed disease. Currently, arsenic trioxide (As2O3) was found to be effective in relapsed APL treatment and considered as standard treatment for these cases. However, it has been shown that exposure to As2O3 may exert adverse effects on the male reproductive system since this substance might also induce apoptosis of other important cell types including stem cells. Studies demonstrated that treatment with this metallic substance decreased plasma levels of testosterone and interfered with sperm parameters such as concentration, motility, and viability. In addition, As2O3 was found to produce significant damage to spermatocytes, which may be associated with testicular toxicity and consequent inhibition of spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine sub-chronic treatment effects of As2O3 on sperm and testicular morphology, androgen receptor (AR) immunoreactivity in testes and epididymis, in addition to evaluation of fertility parameters in adult male mice. Thirty adult Swiss mice were divided into three experimental groups: control; received distilled water (vehicle) while treated received 0.3 or 3 mg/kg/day As2O3 subcutaneously, for 5 days per week, followed by 2 days of interruption, for 5 weeks. Results showed that As2O3 (1) decreased spermatozoa number, (2) produced seminiferous epithelium degeneration and exfoliation of germ cells tubule lumen (3) altered nucleus/cytoplasm proportion of Leydig cells and (4) reduced AR immunoreactivity in both Leydig and epithelial epididymal cells. Further, fetal viability tests demonstrated an increase in post-implantation loss in females that were mated with As2O3-treated males. Data indicate that As2O3 exposure altered the spermatogenic process and subsequently fetal viability.

DNA damage in Wistar Kyoto rats exercised during pregnancy.

PURPOSE:: To evaluate DNA damage levels in pregnant rats undergoing a treadmill exercise program. METHODS:: Wistar Kyoto rats were allocated into two groups (n= 5 animals/group): non-exercise and exercise. The pregnant rats were underwent an exercise protocol on a treadmill throughout pregnancy. Exercise intensity was set at 50% of maximal capacity during maximal exercise testing performed before mating. Body weight, blood pressure and glucose levels, and triglyceride concentration were measured during pregnancy. At day 10 post-natal, the animals were euthanized and maternal blood samples were collected for DNA damage. RESULTS:: Blood pressure and glucose levels and biochemical measurements showed no significant differences. Increased DNA damage levels were found in exercise group compared to those of non-exercise group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:: The exercise intensity protocol used in the study might have been exhaustive leading to maternal increased DNA damage levels, demonstrating the relevance of an adequate protocol of physical exercise.

DNA damage in Wistar Kyoto rats exercised during pregnancy

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate DNA damage levels in pregnant rats undergoing a treadmill exercise program. Methods: Wistar Kyoto rats were allocated into two groups (n= 5 animals/group): non-exercise and exercise. The pregnant rats were underwent an exercise protocol on a treadmill throughout pregnancy. Exercise intensity was set at 50% of maximal capacity during maximal exercise testing performed before mating. Body weight, blood pressure and glucose levels, and triglyceride concentration were measured during pregnancy. At day 10 post-natal, the animals were euthanized and maternal blood samples were collected for DNA damage. Results: Blood pressure and glucose levels and biochemical measurements showed no significant differences. Increased DNA damage levels were found in exercise group compared to those of non-exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The exercise intensity protocol used in the study might have been exhaustive leading to maternal increased DNA damage levels, demonstrating the relevance of an adequate protocol of physical exercise.