The effect of a treadmill exercise on cortisol and testosterone levels in male rats due to the stress of separation from mother

Introduction

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs have been used in recent years, and most of these drugs have serious side effects as well as likely to affect the quality of life of patients. In this area, exercise has beneficial effects for the health of individuals which can be recommended as a non-prescriptive therapeutic approach for depression and anxiety.

Materials and Methods

In the present study, 48 male rats were selected and separated from their mothers from 2 to 14 days during 180 minutes. Then, to determine the experimental and control groups, on the 21st day, these randomly assigned random variables were divided into the four groups. The groups experienced maternal separation from 2 to 14 days, except for the control group that was kept at the beginning with the mother. Training groups began practicing on the treadmill since the 21st birthday. Then, the testosterone and cortisol levels of all groups were measured. The training groups also started treadmill workout on the 21st birthday. The testosterone and cortisol levels of all groups were measured and the data were statistically analyzed by T and ANOVA methods at a significant level (P< 0.05).

Results

The results showed the maternal stress severity significantly increased cortisol and decreased testosterone levels. On the other hand, exercise showed an increase in the testosterone levels compared to the stress and fluoxetine groups. It also significantly reduced cortisol levels.

Conclusion

The results of the study showed the exercise reduced stress and decreased depression and anxiety behaviors in adulthood during adolescence.