Effect of Maternal Exercise on Adverse Cardio-Pulmonary Responses in Offspring Exposed to Post-Natal Chronic Hypoxia

Authors

Jonathan Specht, University of New MexicoFollow
Eric Leslie, University of New MexicoFollow
Rebekah Gridley, University of New Mexico
Vincent Luna, University of New Mexico
Zachary McKenna, UT Southwestern Medical Center
David Jones, University of New Mexico
Benjamin Lantz, University of New Mexico
Mika Moriwaki, University of New Mexico
Laura Gonzales Bosc, University of New Mexico
Ann Gibson, University of New Mexico
Christine Mermier, University of New Mexico
Sean Wilson, Loma Linda University
Michael Deyhle, University of New Mexico

Abstract

Emerging evidence shows exercise by women throughout pregnancy (i.e., maternal exercise) endows the offspring with positive health benefits and resistance to many diseases later in life. PURPOSE: To determine if maternal exercise reduces unfavorable cardiopulmonary development and improves exercise capacity in offspring after chronic hypoxic exposure throughout early life. METHODS: Female adult C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: high altitude, sedentary (HS), high altitude, active (HE), or the respective, low-altitude conditions (LS or LE). Pregnant females in the exercise groups performed voluntary wheel running during mating and the perinatal period (about 4 weeks). Three days after birth, the pups in the high-altitude groups were exposed to chronic hypobaric hypoxia (450mmHg). When pups were eight weeks old, body size (weight and tail length) was measured and exercise capacity was assessed via a Rotarod test. Terminal procedures were performed to measure right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), hematocrit, and heart remodeling (Fulton’s Index: right ventricular weight ratio to bodyweight (RV/BW) and to the left ventricle plus septum (RV/LV+S)). RESULTS: All variables measured had a main effect for altitude (pCONCLUSION: Chronic hypoxia decreases exercise capacity and attenuates growth. This stress also induces potentially harmful cardiovascular changes, such as high blood viscosity, RVSP, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Our results indicate that maternal exercise may attenuate some of the negative effects of chronic hypoxia in the offspring, but does not prevent significant development impairments.

Recommended Citation

Specht, Jonathan; Leslie, Eric; Gridley, Rebekah; Luna, Vincent; McKenna, Zachary; Jones, David; Lantz, Benjamin; Moriwaki, Mika; Gonzales Bosc, Laura; Gibson, Ann; Mermier, Christine; Wilson, Sean; and Deyhle, Michael (2022) "Effect of Maternal Exercise on Adverse Cardio-Pulmonary Responses in Offspring Exposed to Post-Natal Chronic Hypoxia," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 2, Article 82.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss2/82