Fig. 5.
Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition diminishes flow-induced dilations in main uterine arteries (MUAs) from nonpregnant (NP) and late pregnant (LP) rats. Flow-induced dilations with (+) and without (−) NOS inhibition [Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and Nω-nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA), 100 µM each] in vessels from NP and LP rats (n = 4 per group). In vessels from LP animals, vasodilation was completely abolished and often resulted in vasoconstriction. Data are expressed as mean ± SE. Significant differences at P < 0.01 within NP and LP groups (paired t-test).