1* MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to Be University Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra. Pin code 411043. Email: jayshree.dawane@bharatividyapeeth.edu | ORCID ID: 0000 0002 1170 0454 (Corresponding Author)
2 Intern, Department of Pharmacology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to Be University Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra. Pin code 411043. Email: shivanigandhi0505@gmail.com
3 Intern, Department of Pharmacology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to Be University Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra. Pin code 411043. Email: reva.wani@gmail.com
4 Intern, Department of Pharmacology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to Be University Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra. Pin code 411043. Email: sameevratha2020@gmail.com
5 Intern, Department of Pharmacology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to Be University Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra. Pin code 411043. Email: drmgbrahmankar@gmail.com
Background:
Stress is a well-established factor that negatively influences reproductive health in both humans and animals. This study investigates the impact of various stressors like restraint and immobilization, noise, cold exposure, and post-surgical stress on fertility in Wistar rats.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of different types of stress on fertility parameters in Wistar rats.
Methods:
Male and female Wistar rats were divided into five groups: restraint/immobilization stress (2 hours/day), noise stress (1 hour/day of loud sound), cold stress (2 hours/day at 4°C), post-surgical stress and a control group without stress. The following reproductive parameters were monitored: estrous cycle regularity, mating behavior, pregnancy rate, litter size and histopathological changes. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA.
Results:
The control group showed normal estrous cycles and high pregnancy rates. All types of stress significantly impaired fertility compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Restraint and immobilization delayed estrous cycles and reduced pregnancy rates, noise stress led to irregular cycles and fewer pregnancies, cold exposure resulted in delayed conception and smaller litter sizes, post-surgical stress caused less reproductive disruption and less effect on fertility.
Conclusion:
Exposure to various types of stress markedly disrupts reproductive function in Wistar rats, highlighting the importance of stress control in laboratory animal welfare and reproductive studies.
Keywords: Stress, Fertility, Wistar rats, Restraint stress, Noise stress, Cold exposure
How to cite this article: Dawane J, Gandhi S, Wani R, Nair S, Brahmankar M. Evaluation of the effect of various types of stress on fertility in wistar rats- An Experimental Study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(5): 215-221. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.5.24
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None