Circulating levels of nitric oxide in fertile women in relation to the menstrual cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate nitric oxide (NO) production in the two phases of normal menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Normal human volunteers in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Fifteen normally cycling women.


METHODS
Follicle growth monitoring by ultrasound, serum, and plasma sampling in the midfollicular phase, at ovulation, and in the midsecretory phase.


METHODS
Plasma concentration of NO stable oxidation products and serum concentrations of E2 and P.


RESULTS
Plasma concentration of NO metabolites resulted higher in the follicular phase with respect to the secretory phase and peaked at midcycle.


CONCLUSIONS
The results strongly support the existence of an E2 control of NO production and release. The significant reduction in NO metabolites observed in the secretory phase suggests a possible opposing action of P on either NO production or release.
Cicinelli
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari, Italy.
Ignarro
L J
LJ
Lograno
M
M
Galantino
P
P
Balzano
G
G
Schonauer
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011446:Prospective Studies
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004958:Estradiol