Preterm birth is the primary cause of the neonatal mortality and morbidity. There will be no preterm birth without a cervical softening. Nitric oxide (NO) is shown to be a mediator of term cervical ripening. The aim of this study was to investigate mRNA expression of the three isomers of NO synthases (NOS) and to identify them by immunohistochemistry in the human cervix at preterm birth compared to term.
Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. Susanne.Abelin@kbh.ki.se
