Placental Mitochondria Response to Different Modes of Exercise During Pregnancy

Abstract

Previous research shows exercise provides health benefits, and this is true in the context of pregnancy. However, little research has been done to examine placenta adaptations to exercise that mediate maternal and fetal health benefits. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if exercise during pregnancy increases oxidative phosphorylation protein expression in placental mitochondria. Furthermore, does the type of exercise performed during pregnancy influence placental mitochondria changes. Methods: Healthy women with a low-risk singleton pregnancy participated in an exercise intervention from 13 - 16 weeks gestation through delivery. Women were randomized to one of four groups: Aerobic only, Resistance only, Combination of Aerobic + Resistance, Stretching/Breathing Controls. Each participant completed 50 minutes, 3 times each week of either moderate-intensity (Aerobic, Resistance, Combination) or light-intensity stretching/breathing. Placenta tissue was collected after delivery. Villous tissue samples were obtained within 24 hours of delivery. Mitochondria content was determined by western blotting. Placentae from women diagnosed with GDM were excluded. Results: Placenta tissue was collected from 42 healthy females (13=Aerobic, 9= Resistance, 10=Combination, 10=Control). Aerobic training significantly increased complex III protein expression compared to the resistance group (p=0.02), and a near significant increase compared to the control group (p=0.056). Additionally, the aerobic group showed a significant increase in complex IV expression compared to the combination group (p = 0.036). Conclusions: Results suggest the mode of exercise performed during pregnancy could impact the placenta differently. Placenta protein expression of electron transport chain complexes III and IV in women who participated in aerobic training during pregnancy were significantly higher than those who did resistance training and combination training, respectively. Complex IV protein expression was significantly lower in the combination training group compared to aerobic trained individuals (p=0.04). Future research should investigate placental mitochondria function to understand how different types of exercise during pregnancy may impact the placenta and thus facilitate maternal-fetal health benefits.