Sleep deprivation during pregnancy and its consequence on pregnancy outcome and maternal cognition; any role for genistein?

Sleep deprivation in pregnancy is a recognized risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, yet the mechanisms and potential interventions remain unclear. This study evaluated genistein, a phytoestrogen with neuroprotective actions, for its role in modulating the effects of gestational sleep deprivation in rats. Thirty-two pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: non-sleep deprived controls, sleep deprived (REM deprivation, GD6–18), genistein-treated non-sleep deprived, and genistein-treated sleep deprived (2 mg/kg oral, GD1–18). Outcomes included maternal weight gain, implantation count, embryo resorption, fetal and placental weights, and performance in labyrinth maze and inhibitory avoidance tests for cognition. Sleep deprivation significantly reduced maternal weight gain, fetal and placental weights, and increased embryo resorption and post-implantation loss. Genistein partially improved cognitive outcomes and increased fetal and placental weights, but decreased the number of successful implantations and raised post-implantation losses in both normal and sleep-deprived contexts. Combined genistein and sleep deprivation did not fully reverse physiological impairments and was associated with elevated maternal corticosterone. In conclusion, genistein provided modest neurocognitive protection against sleep deprivation–induced deficits but also posed additional reproductive risks, failing to restore all adverse outcomes. These findings highlight that the effects of phytoestrogen supplementation during pregnancy depend critically on maternal environment, dosage, and timing, and underscore the need for caution in recommending such interventions