Fig. 8: Exoc1 deletion during foetal ovarian development significantly disrupts folliculogenesis.
A Intensity level of plasma membrane c-KIT. The c-KIT located in plasma membrane of Exoc1-D-cKO-E (Exoc1flox/flox::Ddx4+/CreERT2) oocytes at postnatal day 0 (P0) compared to control group Exoc1-D-ctrl-E (Exoc1flox/+::Ddx4+/CreERT2. B Representative Haematoxylin and Eosin staining images of Exoc1-D-cKO-E ovaries at P5. Dashed white line: oocytes in the cyst. Hashtag: single follicles. C Total number of oocytes in ovaries, follicles, and cysts of both groups. The number of oocytes in cyst of Exoc1-D-cKO-E ovaries was significantly higher than those in control. n = 3, Student’s t test. D Representative ovaries and Macroscopic Haematoxylin and Eosin-stained images of Exoc1-D-cKO-E and Exoc1-D-ctrl-E mice that were 10 weeks old. Dashed black line: ovary area. Asterisk: follicles observed on the ovary surface. Scale bar = 500 µm. E Ovary maximum diameter. Exoc1-D-cKO-E ovaries were smaller than those of the control group. F Oocyte counts in whole ovaries at 10 weeks of age. Secondary and antral follicles were absent in the Exoc1-D-cKO-E mice. n = 3, Student’s t test. G Oocyte area of primary follicles. Oocytes in primary follicles of Exoc1-D-cKO-E mice were significantly smaller than those in control group. n = 3, Student’s t test.
