Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation

 

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Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Vol. 8, No. 3, 158-164 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/107155760100800306

Brain Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression Is Enhanced in the Human Cervix in Labor

Shunzhong Bao, MS, MD

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington Univeristy School of Medicine, 4911 Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63110 baos{at}msnote.swustl.edu

Jodie Rai, MD

James Schreiber, MD

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

Objectives: To determine whether brain nitric oxide synthase (bNOS) is expressed in human cervix, define its localization, and examine the possibility that it contributes to the nitric oxide (NO) pool and has a role in human cervical ripening.

Methods: Human cervical biopsy tissues were collected from four groups: (1) nonpregnant patients, (2) term nonlabor (cesarean delivery) patients, (3) term labor patients with cesarean deliveries, and (4) term labor patients (vaginal delivery). The mRNA expression was assessed using reverse-trancribed polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. The protein expression was determined using Western blot and its localization was shown using immunostaining.

Results: Both bNOS mRNA and protein are present in human cervical tissue. They were localized to stroma cells and epithelial cells by in situ hybridization and immunostaining. bNOS protein expression in the labor group was significantly higher than in the nonlabor group (P <.05).

Conclusion: bNOS is expressed in the human cervix and enhanced expression is observed in labor, suggesing its possible role in contributing to the NO pool in the human cervix, in cervical ripening, and in labor.

Key Words: Cervix ripening • labor • nitric oxide synthase


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