The role of nitric oxide in reproduction.
Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in reproduction at every level in the organism. In the brain, it activates the release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). The axons of the LHRH neurons project to the mating centers in the brain stem and by afferent pathways evoke the lordosis reflex in female rats. In males, there is activation of NOergic terminals that release NO in the corpora cavernosa penis to induce erection by generation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). NO also activates the release of LHRH which reaches the pituitary and activates the release of gonadotropins by activating neural NO synthase (nNOS) in the pituitary gland. In the gonad, NO plays an important role in inducing ovulation and in causing luteolysis, whereas in the reproductive tract, it relaxes uterine muscle via cGMP and constricts it via prostaglandins (PG).
McCann
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SM
Pennington Biomedical Research Cente, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124, USA. mccannsm@mhs.pbrc.edu
Mastronardi
C
C
Walczewska
A
A
Karanth
S
S
Rettori
V
V
Yu
W H
WH
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000502:physiology; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D020738:Leptin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal
D020738:Leptin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone