Original scientific paper
Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Placenta is Increased in Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Fetal Hypoxia
Ana Tikvica
Marija Kučan Jukić
Ivana Pintarić
Marijana Medić
Goranka Hudiček-Martinčić
Vesna Košec
Aida Salihagić-Kadić
Abstract
In order to study the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in the human placenta, we measured the concentration of its
stable metabolite nitrite (NO2
–) in the placentas of women with normal pregnancies and those from pregnancies complicated
by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with or without fetal hypoxia. We have measured nitrites by the Griess
reaction in 15 placentas from IUGR pregnancies and 12 controls. Cerebroumbilical ratio (C:U) was recorded by color
Doppler ultrasound and values below 1 were considered to be a predictor for fetal hypoxia. NO2
– levels measured in pathological
placentas were increased for at least 93 % as compared to control. Subjects from pregnancies complicated by
IUGR and fetal hypoxia had increased NO2
– as compared to the placentas from pregnancies with IUGR and normal fetal
oxygenation. NO production in placenta is increased in pregnancies with IUGR. This effect is more pronounced in those
with compromised fetal oxygenation.
Keywords
nitric oxide; IUGR; fetal hypoxia
Hrčak ID:
27210
URI
Publication date:
7.7.2008.
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