[EFFECTS OF IN VITRO CULTURE AND EMBRYO TRANSFER ON THE ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE, BODY WEIGHT AND BEHAVIOUR IN ISIAH...

This study was the first to investigate long-term effects of in vitro culturing of embryos combined with their cryopreservation and transfer on arterial blood pressure, body weight and behavior in hypertensive rats. No differences in body weight and arterial blood pressure levels were found between the naturally born rats and those born with the help of ART (assisted reproductive technologies). However, ART-born rats spent more time on rearing, as was revealed by the open-field test. The results of the elevated plus maze test indicated that these rats spent more time in the open arms and demonstrated a longer duration of head dips. Moreover, the light-dark box test showed a longer total leaning-out time in this group. Taken together, the results of the three behavioral tests demonstrate a greater exploratory activity and lower anxiety in ART-born ISIAH rats than in natural born ones.