Nitric oxide synthesis inhibition suppresses implantation and decreases cGMP concentration and protein peroxidation

The effect of Nw-nitro-L-arginine on embryonic implantation and cGMP carbonyl group concentration was assessed at the rat implantation site (IS) and non-implantation site (NIS). The intraluminal administration of 25 microg (2.3 mM) of Nw-nitro-L-arginine inhibited implantation in 34.7% and embryo survival (100%), while in addition, decreasing cGMP concentration both at the site (1664.2 +/- 333.8 pmoles/mg of protein for the control and 1321 +/- 384.3 for those treated), as well as at the NIS (1203.7 +/- 200 to 780.2 +/- 168.5). Carbonyl group concentration was considerably less at the implantation site treated with Nw-nitro-L-arginine than in the control (0.062 +/- 0.012 nmoles/mg of protein and 0.45 +/- 0.1, respectively). Nonetheless, the NIS was not significantly different (0.12 +/- 0.04 and 0.15 +/- 0.05). Our results show that a nitric oxide (NO) dependent system parallel to the formation of cGMP and protein peroxidation products is important at the blastocyst implantation site in order for the endometrium to acquire the necessary properties for an adequate receptivity.