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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Placenta-Targeted Drug Delivery Using Three Complementary Methods
Published on: September 10, 2018
Progestational agents prevent preterm birth induced by a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor in the mouse
Gian Mario Tiboni1, Antonio Del Corso, Francesca Marotta
1Sezione di Ostetricia e Ginecologia, Dipartimento di Medicina e Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Ospedale SS. Annunziata, 66013 Chieti, Italy. tiboni@unich.it
Background:
The ability of the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to induce preterm parturition in the mouse has been previously documented. The present study tested the ability of progestational agents to prevent preterm birth induced by L-NAME.
Materials And Methods:
L-NAME was administered subcutaneously at 90 mg/kg on gestation day 16. Progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate and hydroxyprogesterone caproate were administered subcutaneously at 0 (vehicle), 5 or 10 mg/kg on gestation day 16 one hour before L-NAME and on day 17. Parturition was considered preterm if occurring before gestation day 18.
Results:
Following treatment with L-NAME alone, 56.5% of the pregnant animals delivered before term. Treatment with progesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate or hydroxyprogesterone caproate at 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg significantly and comparably reduced the rate of preterm birth caused by L-NAME.
Conclusion:
Progestational agents are able to reduce preterm births induced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition.
