Abstract:Aim Investigating the effects of exercise during pregnancy on blood pressure and brain ischemia-reperfusion injury in 1-month-old (1M) and 3-month-old (3M) offspring of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Methods SHR and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were selected, they were paired in a 1∶1 male-to-female ratio within the same strain, and the first day of pregnancy was confirmed by the presence of copulatory plugs and sperm on a vaginal smear. Pregnant rats were randomly divided into pregnancy sedentary group (p-WKY-SED, p-SHR-SED) and pregnancy exercise group (p-WKY-EX, p-SHR-EX). The rats in the exercise group were performed non-weight-bearing swimming for 60 minutes per day, 6 days per week, in water 40 cm deep at a temperature of 34~35 ℃, until the 20th day of pregnancy. The body weight of the pregnant rats, as well as physiological indicators such as fetal weight, body length, and placental efficiency were monitored to reflect the growth and development of the fetus. 1M and 3M offspring were selected as research subjects, non-invasive blood pressure was measured in the tail artery, a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was prepared by using the thread embolism method, and the area of cerebral infarction was observed 24 hours after reperfusion. Results (1) Compared with p-WKY-SED group, the body weight of p-SHR-SED pregnant rats was significantly decreased (P<0.01); there was no significant difference in the litter size among all groups of pregnant rats (P>0.05). (2) Compared with p-SHR-SED group, exercise during pregnancy can significantly increase the body weight and placental efficiency of both female and male fetal rats in the p-SHR-EX group (P<0.05), and decrease the weight of the placenta (P<0.05). (3) Compared with p-WKY-SED group, the body weight of both female and male offspring rats at 1M and 3M was significantly decreased in the p-SHR-SED group, and their blood pressure was significantly increased (P<0.01); Compared with p-SHR-SED group, exercise during pregnancy had no significant effect on the body weight and blood pressure of 1M offspring in the p-SHR-EX group (P>0.05), but it could significantly reduce the blood pressure of 3M male offspring in the p-SHR-EX group (P<0.01); The body weight and blood pressure of 3M male offspring were significantly higher in p-WKY-SED group and p-SHR-SED group than those of female in the same group (P<0.01). (4) Compared with p-WKY-SED group, the infarct area of MCAO injury in both female and male offspring rats at 1M and 3M was significantly increased in the p-SHR-SED group (P<0.01); Compared with p-SHR-SED group, exercise during pregnancy can significantly reduce the infarct area of MCAO injury in both female and male offspring at 1M and 3M in the p-SHR-EX group (P<0.05). Conclusion Aerobic exercise during pregnancy can significantly improve blood pressure in the offspring of hypertensive rats, and reduce their susceptibility to ischemic reperfusion injury in the brain as adults.