Effect of High Salt Diet on Chances and Outcomes of Pregnancy in Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

Lifestyle can significantly impact reproductive health and can have either a positive or negative effect on fertility. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of a high-salt diet (HSD) on some reproductive parameters in adult female Wistar rats. A total of forty-four animals were divided into four groups of eleven animals each. The control group was given free access to food, while the other groups received diets containing 2.5%, 3.5%, and 4.5% NaCl, respectively. All animals in groups 2, 3, and 4 were provided the experimental diet ad libitum for 6 weeks. Before mating, the male Wistar rats were housed separately and had unlimited access to rat chow and water. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed. The pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and live birth index were significantly (P< 0.05) decreased in the groups treated with HSD compared to the normal control group. Although no significant changes (P> 0.05) were observed in the delivery index and viability index in the groups given HSD, implantation loss was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in the HSD-treated groups compared to the normal control. The findings of this study highlight the potential negative effects of high salt intake on fertility.