The latter were assessed for two kinds of knock-out mice models: eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) deficient (−/−) animals, which are associated with intrauterine growth-restriction (IUGR) symptoms23,24, and IL10 knockout mice, exhibiting hypertension and proteinuria during pregnancy and serving as models for preeclampsia (PE,25,26). Here, NOS3 is linked to fetal growth restriction.