title: Cell-specific expression and immunolocalization of nitric oxide synthase isoforms and the related nitric oxide/cyclic GMP signaling pathway in the ovaries of neonatal and immature rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study is designed to investigate the cellular expressions and immunolocalizations of three different nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and the related nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway in the ovaries of neonatal and immature rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ovaries were obtained from ICR (Institute for Cancer Research) female Sprague-Dawley rats at postnatal days 1, 5, 7, 10, and 19. Then we carried out the histologic examination, immunohistochemistry, measurement of NOS activity, and modifications within the NO/cGMP pathway.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During postnatal days 1, 5, 7, 10, and 19, all three isoforms of NOS were mainly localized to the oocytes and expressed as a gradual increase in granulosa cells and theca cells within the growing follicle. The ovarian total NOS activities and NO levels were increased at postnatal days 7 and 10 compared with other days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that the locally produced NO and the NO/NOS signaling systems are involved in the follicular development to puberty.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Quan-wei
authors.initials: QW
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Zheng-chao
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fang-xiong
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat; C496318:Nos2 protein, rat; C496316:Nos3 protein, rat; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase; D006152:Cyclic GMP