title: Nitric oxide in the human uterine cervix: endogenous ripening factor.
abstract: The human uterine cervix can produce nitric oxide (NO), a free radical with an ultra-short half-life. The release of NO changes during pregnancy and is increased in early nonviable pregnancies compared to normal uncomplicated pregnancies. This review concentrates on the role of NO release in cervical ripening in pregnant women. Also some suggestions on future aspects are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. mervi.vaisanen-tommiska@hus.fi
authors.forename: Mervi R H
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Väisänen-Tommiska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009569:Nitric Oxide