Fig. 2

Mitochondrial membrane damage and decreased p-Akt expression in the DHT-induced PCOS mouse model. A Higher weight in the DHT-treated PCOS-like mice. (n = 6 in each group) B More antral follicles, less primordial follicles in the PCOS mice (n = 6 in each group) C Disrupted estrous cycles (mainly in diestrus) in the PCOS mice, while the control mice had normal estrous cycles (n = 6 in each group) D Polycystic ovary morphology with fewer corpus lutea and thinner layers of granulosa cells were found in the PCOS mice ovaries by optical microscopy (n = 6 in each group) E TEM revealed mitochondria swelling and mitochondrial membrane defect in the GCs of the PCOS mice. The arrows point at mitochondria. (n = 3 in each group) F-H We evaluated the p-Akt and cytochrome C expression in the ovaries of PCOS mice. The level of p-Akt protein was significantly decreased in the PCOS mice while cytochrome C expression of increased. (n = 6 in each group) I-K. BAX, Bcl2, and VDAC1 expression in the mitochondria were evaluated, and BAX level was significantly higher in the PCOS mice. (n = 6 in each group) NS, not significant, P > 0.05, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001