The effects of endurance training in anxiety-like behaviors in rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent disorder in women during their reproductive age. Besides, PCOS causes different abnormalities such as metabolic dysfunctions and behavioral signs. Both medications and life style modifications such as exercising are beneficial in PCOS treatment. In this study the effects of a 4-week endurance training on the improvement of behavioral consequences of PCOS in female rats under the administration of letrozole were examined.

In this study 30 female Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups, as follows. Control group: healthy animals. PCOS group: animals treated with letrozole (oral, 21 days). PCOS group + exercise: PCOS was induced and concurrently, exercise protocol (4 weeks) was performed on rats. To assess the anxiety-like behaviors, the elevated plus maze and open-field tests were used.

PCOS rats showed significant anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (decrease in open arm time and entries percent). Open field test also showed anxiety in PCOS rats compared with the control animals (decrease in the inner time, p<0.05). Exercise protocol in PCOS rats significantly reduced anxiety in both tests.

4-week endurance exercise has protective effects against anxiety-like behaviors due to PCOS in female rats.