Fig. 3

hUSCs and hUSC-CM transplantation improved CTX-induced ovarian dysfunction via inhibiting apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells A Representative ovaries of each group of mice at the time of sample harvesting. B The weight changes of each group of mice were examined every 5 days, starting from the day before the CTX modeling. C The weights of mouse ovaries in different groups were measured and calculated for the ovarian coefficient. The percentage of the ovarian coefficient was calculated as: (ovarian tissue weight/body weight (g)) × 100. D Measurement and comparison of serum E2 between groups using ELISA. E Measurement and comparison of serum FSH between groups using ELISA. F Representative photomicrographs of H&E staining sections of mouse ovaries in the normal, CTX, CTX + hUSCs, and CTX + hUSC-CM groups. The black arrows represent primordial follicles, blue arrows represent primary follicles, gray arrows represent secondary follicles and red arrows represent atretic follicles. G, H Three non-adjacent H&E staining sections were randomly selected for counting the number of primordial follicles and primary follicles (G), and secondary follicles and atresia follicles (H) in mouse ovaries from each group. I, J Western blot assay for FHSR (I) and Bcl2 (J) expressions in ovarian tissues of different groups. K Detection of apoptosis and proliferation of ovarian GCs in each group using the TUNEL method and PCNA immunofluorescence staining. Significance was measured using a one-way ANOVA. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001