The Role Of Nitric Oxide In Fetal - Placental Function Monitoring

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the relationship between serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration and placental function in term pregnant women. Methods: We measured serum N02/N03 (the endproducts of NO) concentrations placental weight and birth weight in 30 ternh pregnant women of placental insufficiency (study group~ and 30 term pregnant women of normal placental function (control group). Serum NO concentrations were determined with the Griess methods. Results: (1) Significantly lower serum NO concentrations were found in study group compared with the control group (76.869.67 ii rnoL/L vs 119.16 5.93 1 moLIL, P<0.0 1); (2) The placental weight was markedly lighter in study group than that of the control group (473.3 1.4g vs 533.37.9g, P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the serum NO concentrations and the placental weight (r=0.690, P<0.O1); (3) The birth weight was markedly lighter in study group than that of the control group (3094.575.6g vs 3336.7+25 1.9g,P<0.0 1). There was a positive correlation between the serum NO concentrations and the birth weight (r=0.718, P< 0.01). Conclusion: Serum NO concentration may play a role as placental function regulators. This suggests an important role of NO in the regulation of fetal and placental development.