Abstract:Aim To explore the effects of exercise during pregnancy on renal structure, function and angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) signaling pathway in 3-month-old offspring of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the aim of this study was to provide experimental basis for early intervention of hypertension and protection of key target organs. Methods After mating SHR and WKY rats, pregnant rats were randomly divided into sedentary group (p-WKY-SED, p-SHR-SED) and exercise group (p-WKY-EX, p-SHR-EX). Blood pressure, serum urea nitrogen and creatinine were measured by caudal artery non-invasive blood pressure system and colorimetry in 3-month-old offspring rats. HE staining, Masson staining, ELISA and Western blot were used to detect the renal structure, collagen volume fraction, AngⅡ concentration, renin-angiotension-aldosterone system (RAAS) and protein expression related to fibrogenic signal pathway in 3-month-old rats. Results (1) The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) of offspring rats in p-SHR-SED group were significantly higher than those in p-WKY-SED group. The SBP, DBP and MAP of SHR male offspring rats were significantly decreased by exercise during pregnancy (P<0.05), but had no effect on the female offspring rats (P>0.05). (2) There was no significant difference in serum urea nitrogen and creatinine among the groups (P>0.05). (3) The glomerular volume and the collagen volume fraction in p-SHR-SED group were significantly higher than those in p-WKY-SED group (P<0.05), and the glomerular volume and the collagen volume fraction in p-SHR-EX group were significantly lower than those in p-SHR-SED group (P<0.05). (4) Renal AngⅡ level of offspring rats in p-SHR-SED group was significantly higher than that in p-WKY-SED group, and renal AngⅡ level of offspring rats in p-SHR-EX group was significantly lower than that in p-SHR-SED group (P<0.05). (5) The expression levels of angiotensinⅡ type 1 receptor (AT1R), TGF-β1 and CTGF protein in p-SHR-SED group were significantly higher than those in p-WKY-SED group (P<0.05), while the expression levels of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensinⅡ type 2 receptor (AT2R) and MasR protein in p-SHR-SED group were significantly lower than those in p-WKY-SED group (P<0.05). Conclusion (1) Exercise during pregnancy can significantly decrease the blood pressure of 3-month-old male offspring rats of hypertensive rats, but has no significant effect on that of 3-month-old female offspring. (2) Exercise during pregnancy may reduce renal fibrosis in 3-month-old female/male offspring of hypertensive rats by regulating RAAS balance and inhibiting AngⅡ /TGF-β1/CTGF signaling pathway.