nitric oxide-induced apoptosis in human granulosa cells

introduction: recent evidence suggests that nitric oxide (no) acts as an important factor in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including reproductive function. the purpose of the present study was to investigate whether no might significantly induce any apoptotic changes in cultured human granulosa cells. material and methods: the granulosa cells (gc) were obtained from women taking part in an in vitro fertilization (ivf) program. after 48h culture, 1mm deta/no was added to the culture medium and then the apoptosis of granulosa cells was evaluated by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dutp nick end labeling (tunel) immediately and after one hour culture. results: nitric oxide significantly increased apoptotic index after one hour in human granulosa cell culture (p<0.024), but it did not significantly affect the controls and the group which apoptotic index was calculated immediately after no donor addition. conclusions: these results suggest that, apoptosis of human granulosa cells is mediated by deta/no, and this effect is directly proportional to the duration of the exposure.