Fig. 1

DHEA induces ovarian dysfunction, and IRE1α levels are increased in the ovaries of PCOS rats. Rats received DHEA for induction of polycystic ovarian syndrome. A H&E staining was carried out for showing ovarian and follicular morphology (upper panel). The percentages of each type of the follicles were quantified (lower panel). B The protein levels of AR and cytochrome P450 family enzymes (CYP11α1, CYP19α1) in ovaries were assessed by western blot. C Serum LH and FSH levels were analyzed using ELISA. D-E The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation factors (GSDME, GSDMD, GSDMD-C, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18) (D) and fibrosis factors (collagen I, β-catenin, α-SMA, TGF-β) (E) in ovaries was assessed by western blot. F IRE1α expression in ovaries was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. G Levels of IRE1α were measured using western blot. Data are shown as the mean ± SD. *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.01. DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone; AR, androgen receptor; PAF, preantral and early antral follicle; AF, antral follicle; CF, cystic follicles; CL, corpus luteum; CYP11α1, cytochrome p450 11; CYP19α1, cytochrome p450 19; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; LH, luteinizing hormone; FSH, follicle stimulating hormone; GSDME, gasdermin E; GSDMD, gasdermin D; GSDMD-C, C-terminal fragment of gasdermin D; ASC, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD; IL-1β, interleukin-1β; IL-18, interleukin-18; α-SMA, a-smooth muscle actin; TGF-β, transforming growth factor-beta; IRE1α, inositol-requiring enzyme 1α