hUMSC transplantation restores ovarian function in POI rats by inhibiting autophagy of theca-interstitial cells via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway

摘要

Effects of hUMSC transplantation on ovarian tissue histopathology, apoptosis, follicle counts and blood levels of hormone. a–d, × 40, Ovarian tissue histopathology was determined with use of HE staining (triangle indicates the primordial follicle, square indicates the primary follicle and the secondary follicle, circle indicates the atretic follicle). e–h, × 200, Caspase-3 staining was examined by immunohistochemistry shown as brown with the cell nucleus being stained blue. Arrow indicates the theca-interstitial cell layer. i Summary of follicle counts from ovaries within each group. j Intensity of caspase-3 staining quantification within each group. k, l Summary of serum E2, FSH, and LH release within each group. Data are expressed as the means ± SD, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, black triangle indicates P < 0.05, white triangle indicates P < 0.01, and #P < 0.001. hUMSCs, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells; HE, hematoxylin and eosin; E2, estradiol; FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone; LH, luteinizing hormone