Figure 2
Ovarian α 1a -AR mRNA and protein expression. As shown in panel A, no significant differences were found in α1a-AR mRNA expression between the control, EA, and PCO groups. Values are given as means ± SEMs normalized to GAPDH. The results of α1a-AR immunopositive cell count is shown in panel B. Values are given as means ± SEMs. Immunostaining revealed that ovarian α1a-AR protein is expressed in control group ovaries. EA treatments did not affect the number of immunopositive cells in the ovaries of control rats. PCO ovaries had significantly higher amounts of α1a-AR protein compared with control ovaries. EA treatments in PCO rats decreased α1a-AR protein immunoreactivity when compared with untreated PCO rats. ap < 0.05 vs control group. bp < 0.05 vs PCO group. Representative pictures showing the distribution of α1a-AR positive cells in the ovaries of the experimental groups are showed in Panel: C-D. Immunostained cells (arrows) were localized around blood vessels (C) and in the granulosa cells of an early antral follicle (D) and corpora lutea. F: Follicle; bv: blood vessel; gr: granulose cells; th: thecal layer. Magnification C: ×400; D: ×200.