The periovarian vascular complex (PVC) participates with the local transfer of ovarian hormones from venous and lymphatic effluent into the arterial blood supplying the ovary. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in ovarian steroidogenesis, angiogenesis and in the regulation of the blood flow. The aim of the present study was to determine if unilateral progesterone (P₄) infusions to the ovarian artery in the follicular phase of the estrous cycle in pigs may change the activity of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d), marker for NOS, and immunoreactivity (IR) of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) isoforms in the PVC arteries and veins. P₄ was infused into the right (experimental PVC) and the saline was infused into the left ovarian artery (control PVC). The doses of P₄ were: 84 ng/min, 2×84 ng/min and 3×84 ng/min on the first, second and third day of the experiment, respectively. Seven days following the final P₄ infusion gilts were sacrificed and both PVC were stained using histo- and immunohistochemistry methods. In comparison with the control PVC, these infusions of P₄ caused in the experimental PVC: decrease (P < 0.001) of NADPH-d activity and IR of eNOS in the arterial and vein’s endothelium, and in the arterial muscular layer. An increase (P < 0.001) of NADPH-d activity and IR of eNOS, iNOS was observed in the vein’s muscular layer. These results indicate that P₄ change IR NOS isoforms and, consequently, the production of NO. Nitric oxide may be involved in the local control of periovarian vascular complex contractility.
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