Sleep Deprivation Aggravates Placental Oxidative Status and Alters Haematological Variables in Pregnant Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Prenatal sleep deprivation is associated with increased risk for preterm delivery and complications, partly due to a burst in oxidative stress from increased placental mitochondrial activity and establishment of intervillous circulation. Studies linking this relationship are limited. Hence, we evaluated how maternal sleep deprivation affects placental stress and haematology in Wistar rats.

Methods: Thirty pregnant Wistar rats (180g-200g) were assigned to six groups (n=5): control and sleep-deprived (SD) subgroups across three Gestational periods/days (GD1-7, GD8-14, and GD15-21). Sleep deprivation was induced by the multiple platform technique (20h/day for 7 days). The dams were euthanized on GD7, 14, and 21, respectively, after which the placentas were excised for biochemical studies and blood was collected for haematological analysis.

Results: Haemoglobin level decreased significantly at GD15-21, while WBC increased at GD8-14 and GD15-2, with concomitant increase in platelets at GD15-21 in the SD group. Lymphocytes increased at GD1-7, whereas monocytes exhibited trimester-specific variation in SD rats, decreasing at GD1-7 and increasing at GD15-21. Eosinophils decreased at GD15-21 in the SD. Placental SOD activity decreased at GD1-7, while MDA levels increased at GD1-7 and GD15-21 in SD, with no significant difference in catalase concentrations.

Conclusion: Maternal sleep deprivation worsens oxidative stress and impairs haematological functions. This may adversely affect the mother and fetal health, with the potential to epigenetically programme the fetus for increased susceptibility to chronic diseases later in life.