The Effect of Eight weeks of Swimming Training on The Levels of Progesterone And Corticosterone Hormones in Adult Female Rats Model of Autism

Autism disorder has increased dramatically in the last decade and is becoming a global epidemic threat, and it is possible that sports activity can be a non-pharmacological method to reduce autism. Therefore, the aim of the present study was the effect of eight weeks of swimming training on the levels of progesterone and corticosterone hormones in adult female rats model of autism.

 Male and female C57BL6 mice were placed in a cage for mating after two weeks of adaptation to the environment. Then, in order to cause disease in mice, the animals were divided into control and autism groups on the 12th day of pregnancy. In the autism group, pregnant rats received a dose of 600 mg/kg intraperitoneally with valproate. After that, children were allowed to be born. Animals were divided into 3 groups and 10 heads each (autism without Training, autism with Training, control). The animals were subjected to swimming Training for 8 weeks (56 days) from the age of 28 days to the age of 56 days. Progesterone and corticosterone hormone levels were measured by ELISA method.

The results showed that the difference in the amount of corticosterone between the groups was significant (P=0.000). The results showed that the Training + autism group showed a significant decrease in the amount of corticosterone compared to the autism group. Also, a significant difference in progesterone levels was observed among the studied groups (P=0.001). The results also showed that the Training + autism group showed a significant decrease in progesterone levels compared to the autism group (P=0.016).

Swimming, it seems, may be able to reduce progesterone and corticosterone hormone levels and be beneficial for people with autism.