Journal of Research in Medical Sciences1735-199514420090129Effect of physical training on metabolic responses of pregnant rats submitted to swimming under thermal stress223230ENRodrigoAlexisLazo-OsorioRafaelPereiraUniversidade do Vale do Paraíba, São José dos Campos, Brazil. ralo@univap.brJuniaScarlatelliChristofaniAdrianaKowaleskyRussoMarcoMachadoWellingtonRibeiroIvanDa CruzPicarro2008111820090129BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of pre-pregnancy physical training on metabolic responses and its effects on offspring.METHODS: Three groups of rats (n = 7 in each group): sedentary pregnant rats (PS), exercised during  regnancy (PE) and pregnant rats trained before and during pregnancy (PT) were compared. They were separated  nto three subgroups regarding water temperature: 28°C, 35°C or 39°C. Plasma triglycerides and glucose levels,  eight gain during pregnancy and rectal temperature pre and post exercise (swim), as well as the offspring size and weight were analysed.RESULTS: Rectal temperature post exercise was lower than pre exercise at 28°C and 35°C, and higher at 39°C.  eight gain was lower at 39°C for the PT group and at 35°C for the PT and PE groups compared to the PS group. Plasma glucose, at 28°C and 39°C for PS and PE groups, was higher than those obtained at 35°C, while triglycerides  ere lower. For trained rats, plasma glucose and triglycerides were similar at all water temperatures.  rained rats presented lower triglyceride values at 35°C, and higher triglyceride values at 39°C compared to PS  roup. Glucose presented inverse results. None of the groups presented fetal reabsorption. However, in the PS group, the offspring presented lower weight gain at 28°C than at 35°C and 39°C.CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pre-pregnancy physical training induces steady values of triglycerides and glucose during exercise at all water temperatures.KEYWORDS: Physical Training, Pregnant Rats, Glucose Metabolism, Triglycerides Metabolism, Thermal Stress.