Fig. 5

CGP71683, PD98059 and U0126 inhibited NPY-induced granulosa cell proliferation in early antral follicles. Granulosa cells in EA were pre-incubated with CGP71683 (NPY5R antagonist), PD98059 or U0126 (MEK inhibitors) for 1 h and stimulated with NPY (0.1 nM) for 24 h. Cell proliferation (Ki67-positivity) was assessed by immunocytochemistry. CGP71683, PD98059 or U0126 inhibited NPY-induced Ki67-positivity of granulosa cells. Each granulosa cell replicate was isolated from at least two rats. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM of independent replicates (A, n = 4; B, n = 5; C, n = 4) and analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison. *, p < 0.05 (vs. without NPY and CGP71683/MEK inhibitors); †, p < 0.05 (vs. with NPY)