The Effects of a Submaximal Endurance Swimming Training Period and Cadmium Poisoning during Pregnancy on the Hepatocyte Growth Factor Response in Neonatal Rats

Background and Objectives: Exposure to cadmium in early pregnancy has long-term effects on the growth and function of the liver. One of the pathways that controls proliferation of the fetal liver involves hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). This study was conducted to determine the effect of an endurance swimming training period during pregnancy on the alterations of the levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in neonates of pregnantrats exposed to cadmium poisoning. Methods:In this experimental research, 32 pregnant rats with the mean weight of 200±20g were divided into four groups (control, training, cadmium, and training-cadmium). Training protocol during pregnancy included 60 min swimming per day for 5 days a week. Cadmium group received cadmium chloride as a solution in drinking water (400mg/kg.BW) from the first day of pregnancy until delivery. Training-cadmium group performed training protocol along with cadmium receiving. Tissue sampling from liver of the neonates was performed 2 days after birth, and HGF levels were measured using ELISA method. Results: In this study, the difference between the mean levels of HGF in the cadmium- training group (p=0.797) and the control group was not significantly different (p=0.797), but in cadmium group a significant increase was observed in HGF levels (p=0.025) of neonatal liver. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that endurance swimming training can be effective in the modulation of HGF levels induced by cadmium poisoning of liver in neonates.