Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis potentiates apoptosis in the rabbit corpus luteum

• Main Authors: S. Sangchai Preutthipan, S. H. Chen, J. L. Tilly, K. Kugu, R. R. Lareu, A. M. Dharmarajan
• Other Authors: The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Format: Article
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Medicine
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/21250
• Institution: Mahidol University

To determine if nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in corpus luteum (CL) physiology by affecting progesterone secretion or luteal apoptosis, an in-vitro pseudopregnant rabbit ovarian perfusion system was used to measure the effects of an inhibitor of NO synthesis, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), on progesterone secretion and corpus luteal apoptosis as measured by internucleosomal DNA breakdown. Pseudopregnant rabbit ovaries perfused in vitro with L-NAME did not demonstrate any significant differences compared with control ovaries in progesterone secretion. However, apoptosis, as measured by internucleosomal breakdown, was significantly increased in L-NAME-perfused CL compared with controls. While NO does not appear to directly affect progesterone secretion, there does appear to be a role for NO in CL maintenance, or a role for inhibition of NO production in CL regression.