Tualang honey ameliorates restraint stress-induced impaired pregnancy outcomes in rats

Abstract

IntroductionExposure to stress during pregnancy has been shown to have adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight, spontaneous abortion and premature delivery. Honey has been shown to improve testicular function in rats exposed to cigarette smoke. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of honey on corticosterone level, adrenal gland histomorphometry and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant rats subjected to restraint stress. Materials and methodsRat dams were divided into four groups (n=10/group), i.e. control, honey, stress and honey plus stress (honey+stress) groups. Rats from honey and honey+stress groups received Tualang honey (1.2g/kg body weight/day) orally by gavage from Day 0 of pregnancy until delivery. Rats from stress and honey+stress groups were subjected to stress by repeated restraining (three times/day) from Day 11 of pregnancy until delivery. Following delivery, pregnancy outcomes were assessed and dams were euthanized at postnatal Day 21 for assessments on serum corticosterone level, adrenal gland histology and rate of resorption. ResultsRats from stress group had significantly higher corticosterone level, zona fasciculata thickness and duration of pregnancy as well as decreased litter size when compared with control and honey groups. These parameters were significantly improved in rats receiving honey (honey+stress group). ConclusionSupplementation of honey has a protective effect against increased corticosterone level and zona fasciculata thickness as well as impaired pregnancy outcomes in rats subjected to restraint stress.