Nitric oxide stimulates the production of atrial natriuretic peptide and progesterone by human granulosa luteinized cells with an antiapoptotic effect.

Objective: To study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and progesterone (P) production by human granulose luteinized cells (GLC) in vitro and to elucidate their role on the survival of cultured cells.

Methods: Human GLCs were cultured in HAM's F10/10% FCS as monolayers for 24 h. Subsequently GLCs were treated for 24 h with 0.