Oxidative stress is integral to normal female reproductive processes, yet chronic psychophysical stress-such as that experienced by war-displaced women-may disrupt redox homeostasis and compromise maternal-fetal health. This study evaluated trimester-specific activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in 1 000 pregnant women displaced from active combat and non-combat regions, alongside 100 controls residing in stable environments. Enzymatic assays revealed that displaced participants exhibited significantly elevated GPx, GSH, and SOD activities and increased MDA levels compared to controls (p < 0.05), with a clear upward trend across trimesters, reflecting cumulative oxidative burden. In contrast, control women maintained expected physiological redox dynamics. These findings indicate that chronic war-related stress induces a compensatory antioxidant response that may ultimately deplete redox reserves, elevating gestational risk. We advocate for routine assessment of redox biomarkers and tailored antioxidant interventions to mitigate adverse pregnancy outcomes in vulnerable, stressed populations.

Keywords: оxidative stress, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, pregnancy, war displacement, antioxidant biomarkers

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