title: [The role of nitric oxide in reproduction].
abstract: Nitrix oxide (NO) is a highly reactive and short-lived radical (half-life time: 10-12 s), which is derived from L-arginine by the NO synthases (NOS) in several organ systems. The release of NO by endothelial cells leads to rapid relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells, whereas release by several neuronal cells causes neurotransmission. When NOS is actively induced in immune cells or certain epithelia it causes cytotoxicity and/or apoptosis of these cells. In the reproductive organs NO is now considered to be an important trigger molecule for several physiological mechanisms. Follicular synthesized NO is involved in rupture of the follicle during ovulation. Moreover, NO participates in the acrosome reaction of spermatozoa during capacitation. Apoptosis and collagenolysis of the functional endometrium may be involved in endometrial shedding during menstruation. Since NO induces both apoptosis and collagenolysis, the newly discovered production of NO in late secretory endometrium could act as a key mechanism in the process of menstrual disintegration of the endometrium. Additionally, NO is necessary to support and maintain the decidualization process and plays a pivotal role in implantation.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für gynäkologische Endokrinologie und Sterilitätsbehandlung, Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde, Universität Wien, Osterreich. walter.tschugguel@akh-wien.ac.at
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tschugguel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schneeberger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Unfried
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bräutigam
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wieser
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Czerwenka
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vytiska-Binstorfer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kurz
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weninger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mildner
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Waselmayr
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bursch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaider
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Waldhör
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Breitschopf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ellinger
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase
vernacular_title: Die Rolle des Stickstoffmonoxids bei der Reproduktion.