Pregnancy Outcomes of Wistar Rats Exposed to Gestational Stress and Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract

Abstract

Background:Stress during pregnancy significantly impacts offspring early physiological programming.MoLE is believed to have both anti-stress and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to determine the effects of antenatal administration of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MoLE; 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight/day via oral gavage from gestational day 8 to 21) under chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) conditions on pregnancy outcomes in Wistar rats.

Methods: Thirty healthy virgin female rats were randomly placed into 6 groups of 5 rats per group and exposed to CUS protocol comprised of variety of stressors applied in unpredictable manner, for two weeks, as follows: Group I (distilled water via oral gavage + normal rat chow ad libitum), Group II (CUS only), Group III (5mg/Kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group IV (10mg/Kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group V (CUS + 5mg/Kg body weight/day of MoLE), Group VI (CUS + 10mg/Kg body weight/day of MoLE).

Results:Pregnant rats exposed to CUS showed increased level of Cortisol (42.65±3.12 ng/mL), decreased Bodyweight gain at second and third trimester, shorter Gestational Length (20.50±0.29days), decreased Litter Size (3.00±0.58), Stillbirth (22%), Neonatal Mortality (66%), decreased pups birth weight (3.22±0.15g), birth length (4.26±0.11cm), BMI at birth (0.18±0.00g/cm²), when compared to Normal Control and MoLE exposed Groups. MoLE administration, particularly at 10 mg/kg, significantly attenuated these adverse effects.

Conclusion:MoLE demonstrates both anti-stress and antioxidant properties that protect against gestational stress-induced adverse pregnancy outcomes. The 10 mg/kg dose showed optimal protective effects. More research is necessary to comprehend underlying molecular pathways.