Fig. 6

Baicalin may improve granulosa cell function and ovarian follicle development through the mTOR signaling pathway. The ovaries of the mice were routinely fixed, embedded, and sliced for p-mTOR immunohistochemical staining with a positive signal of brown (A). Positive control (Positive-Ctrl, left), Negative control (Negative-Ctrl, middle). Granulosa cells were starved for 24 h after conventional culture. Then the total RNA of the cells was extracted following treatment with Baicalin. The mRNA expression levels of the mTOR were detected using real-time PCR (B). Granulosa cells were starved for 24 h after conventional culture and then treated for 72 h as shown in the figure. The corresponding mTOR activator (MHY1485) and inhibitor (HY-112914) were then used, followed by cell viability detection using a CCK-8 cell viability detection kit (C & D). Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate (E & F). * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001, and **** P < 0.0001