“CORRELAZIONE TRA LIVELLI DI OSSIDO NITRICO E PROGESTERONE IN GRAVIDANZA. STUDIO PRELIMINARE SULLA BOVINA DA LATTE”

Many studies showed that Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulatory agent in various female reproductive processes, such as ovulation, implantation, pregnancy maintenance, labour and delivery. NO-production in the cervix is low during gestation and becomes up regulated once pregnancy advances to term. NO-donors are effective and safe cervical ripening agents. Progesterone (P4) is a steroid hormone produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary, placenta, and adrenal cortex. The function of progesterone include: promotion of endometrial gland growth, stimulation of secretory activity of the oviduct and endometrial glands to provide nutrients for the developing embryo prior to implantation, promotion of 1obuloa1veolar growth in the mammary gland, prevention of contractility of the uterus during pregnancy, and regulation of secretion of gonadotropins. The objective of the current study is to compare the systemic levels of NO and P4 throughout bovine gestation. Blood samples from non-pregnant and post partum cattle were also analysed. An understanding of this pattern may contribute to control the NO-P4 level in order to prevent infertility problem such as failure in embryo implantation, fetal resorption and/or abortion.