Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the timing, tissue location, and isoform of the uterine
nitric oxide synthase activity decrease at term in gravid rat uteri. STUDY DESIGN: Nitric oxide synthase specific activity was assayed in rat uteri 11 through 22 days'
gestation by the difference in radiolabeled arginine to citrulline conversion with
and without the cofactor reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Nitric
oxide synthase isoform was assessed by calcium sensitivity and subcellular location.
RESULTS: Rat uterine nitric oxide synthase activity decreased between days 15 and 21 of gestation
but did not decrease further at term (day 22), before and after the onset of labor.
Decidual nitric oxide synthase activity exceeded the myometrial activity at 15 days'
gestation, but then the two were equal at 18 through 22 days' gestation. The nitric
oxide synthase activity was calcium insensitive except for half the decidual cytosolic
activity on day 15. CONCLUSION: The decrease in pregnant rat uterine nitric oxide synthase activity coincides with
the preparation of the uterus for parturition rather than the final activation of
labor. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:1661-7.)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 10,
1996
Received in revised form:
May 14,
1996
Received:
February 7,
1996
Footnotes
☆From Magee-Womens Research Institute and the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh.
☆☆Supported by a Magee-Womens Research Fund Irene McClenahan Young Investigator Award and an National Institute of Child Health and Development Clinical Investigator Development Award (S.M.S.).
★Reprint requests: Stephen M. Sladek, MD, Magee-Womens Research Institute Room 624, 204 Craft Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3180.
★★0002-9378/96 $5.00 + 0 6/1/76391
Identification
Copyright
© 1996 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
