Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a major paracrine mediator and important regulatory agent in various female reproductive processes, such as ovulation, implantation, pregnancy maintenance, labor and delivery. Ovulation: Circulating NOproducts are increased during follicle development and decreased right after ovulation. INOS-inhibition results in a 50% reduction of ovulation, an effect completely reversed by an NO. Endometrium / Implantation: NO also regulates endometrial functions such as endometrial receptivity, implantation and menstruation. NO-donors may be useful for promoting fertility, while NO-inhibitors might be used for contraception. Uterine contractility: Throughout gestation myometrial NO-production is upregulated thus contributing to achieve uterine quiescence. Close to term, NO-production decreases promoting effective contractions resulting in labor. Clinical trials have demonstrated that NO-donors are effective tocolytics. Cervical ripening: In contrast to the myometrium, NO-production in the cervix is low during gestation and becomes upregulated once pregnancy advances to term. NO-donors are effective and safe cervical ripening agents. This finding from animal studies has been confirmed by several clinical trials. Vasoreactivity: In blood vessels, NO is a potent vasodilator and platelet-aggregation-inhibitor. Lack of NO during gestation was related to the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia. In conclusion, NO-donors and NOS-inhibitors may provide novel, effective, safe, and inexpensive drugs to regulate and steer various functions in female reproductive life. The benefits reach from contraception to preventing possibly lethal pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. Introducing NOdonors as tocolytics and cervical ripening agents may contribute to a reduction of fetal and maternal perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: nitric oxide, paracrine mediator, ovulation, uterine contraction, nitric oxide synthase, nos, no synthases, no
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Nitric Oxide and its Role During Pregnancy: From Ovulation to Delivery
Volume: 9 Issue: 5
Author(s): H. Maul, M. Longo, G. R. Saade and R. E. Garfield
Affiliation:
Keywords: nitric oxide, paracrine mediator, ovulation, uterine contraction, nitric oxide synthase, nos, no synthases, no
Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) is a major paracrine mediator and important regulatory agent in various female reproductive processes, such as ovulation, implantation, pregnancy maintenance, labor and delivery. Ovulation: Circulating NOproducts are increased during follicle development and decreased right after ovulation. INOS-inhibition results in a 50% reduction of ovulation, an effect completely reversed by an NO. Endometrium / Implantation: NO also regulates endometrial functions such as endometrial receptivity, implantation and menstruation. NO-donors may be useful for promoting fertility, while NO-inhibitors might be used for contraception. Uterine contractility: Throughout gestation myometrial NO-production is upregulated thus contributing to achieve uterine quiescence. Close to term, NO-production decreases promoting effective contractions resulting in labor. Clinical trials have demonstrated that NO-donors are effective tocolytics. Cervical ripening: In contrast to the myometrium, NO-production in the cervix is low during gestation and becomes upregulated once pregnancy advances to term. NO-donors are effective and safe cervical ripening agents. This finding from animal studies has been confirmed by several clinical trials. Vasoreactivity: In blood vessels, NO is a potent vasodilator and platelet-aggregation-inhibitor. Lack of NO during gestation was related to the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia. In conclusion, NO-donors and NOS-inhibitors may provide novel, effective, safe, and inexpensive drugs to regulate and steer various functions in female reproductive life. The benefits reach from contraception to preventing possibly lethal pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. Introducing NOdonors as tocolytics and cervical ripening agents may contribute to a reduction of fetal and maternal perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Maul H., Longo M., Saade R. G. and Garfield E. R., Nitric Oxide and its Role During Pregnancy: From Ovulation to Delivery, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2003; 9 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033391784
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033391784 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Characterization of Rhodamine Conjugated Agiotensin II Peptide: Synthesis, Analysis and Receptor Binding and Internalization.
Protein & Peptide Letters Nutrition Communication in General Practice
Current Nutrition & Food Science Cardiotonic Steroids, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease
Current Hypertension Reviews The Vasculature as a Target in the Treatment of Pulmonary Emphysema
Current Drug Targets Targeting Apelinergic System in Cardiometabolic Disease
Current Drug Targets Role of Sirtuins and Calorie Restriction in Neuroprotection: Implications in Alzheimers and Parkinsons Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Alzheimer Biomarkers and Clinical Alzheimer Disease were Not Associated with Increased Cerebrovascular Disease in a Memory Clinic Population
Current Alzheimer Research Cardiovascular Effects of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Regenerative Therapies for Improving Myocardial Perfusion in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: Failure to Meet Expectations but Optimism for the Future
Current Vascular Pharmacology Effects of Cyclosporine A and Itraconazole on Permeability, Biliary Excretion and Pharmacokinetics of Amlidipine
Drug Metabolism Letters Clinical Profile of Relaxin, a Possible New Drug for Human Use
Current Drug Safety The APOE Genotype: Modification of Therapeutic Responses in Alzheimer's Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Immunossupressant and Organ Transplantation: Immunophilins Targeting Agent and Alternative Therapies
Current Medicinal Chemistry Vascular Calcification and Subendocardial Ischemia in Hemodialysis Patients: A New Morpho-Functional Score to Assess Cardiovascular Risk: the Solofra Score
Current Hypertension Reviews Association Between Anemia and Dementia: A Nationwide, Populationbased Cohort Study in Taiwan
Current Alzheimer Research The Proteomic Approach in the Development of Prognostic Biomarkers in Atherothrombosis
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Hematocrit-lowering Effect Following Inactivation of Renin-Angiotensin System with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Drug Delivery Systems for Brain Tumor Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Challenges in Diagnosing Cerebral Lacunar Infarcts
Current Medical Imaging Nox Inhibitors & Therapies: Rational Design of Peptidic and Small Molecule Inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Design