The Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Ionizing Radiation Induced Ovarian Failure and Loss of Ovarian Reserve in Female Mouse

Figure 3

Morphological changes and fertility assessment. (A) Representative HE staining. Sections obtained from the uterine of the mice of control (a) and NAC treated (c) groups showed normal endometrial luminal epithelial structure, while the sections of the X-irradiation group (b) showed high degeneration of the endometrial luminal epithelium with vacuole appearance. Sections of the NAC pretreatment group (d) showed regeneration of luminal epithelium of normal structure. Scale bar, 20 μm. E: endometrial luminal epithelial structure. (B) SEM observation of mouse endometrium. In control (a) and NAC treatment (c) group, multiple of round smooth-surfaced projects were found, which is called pinopod. X-irradiation exposure almost completely terminated the pinopod formation as shown in (b). In the NAC pretreatment group (d), pinopod formation was restored represented as blebs. Scale bar, 10 μm.