Fig 2: Effect of transplanted PRL-1-overexpressing cells on ovarian function in OVX rats. a The levels of AMH, b estrogen, c FSH and d testosterone in individual serum samples were analyzed by ELISAs. e The gene expression of Nobox, f BMP15 and g EGFR in the ovary was analyzed by western blots. h Histological analysis of follicular development was analyzed by H&E staining. Scale bar: 1 mm, magnification: 1.4×. i The percentage of follicles according to follicular development was analyzed by the 3D HISTECH program. The data are representative of three independent experiments and expressed as the mean ± S.D. *p < 0.05, normal versus NTx, NTx versus Tx (Naïve and PRL-1), and Naïve versus PRL-1 at each time point

Fig 3: Effect of PD-MSCs on ovarian function in the ovaries of the TAA-injured rats. (A) The levels of AMH, (B) E2, (C) FSH, and (D) testosterone in individual serum samples were analyzed via ELISA. (E) A histological analysis of follicular development was performed using H&E staining. Scale bar: 2 mm; magnification: 1.4×. (F) The follicular count according to follicular development was analyzed via serial sectioned ovarian tissues. (G–K) The protein expression of Nanos3, Nobox, BMP15, and EGFR related to folliculogenesis was analyzed using Western blotting. The data represent the mean ± S.D. Statistical significance was determined using a one-way ANOVA. Note: * p < 0.05, Nor vs. NTx; * p < 0.05, NTx vs. Tx.

Fig 4: Graphical abstract describes that PRL-1 activates PDGF signaling to improve vascular remodeling in ovarian, thereby improving ovarian function. PD-MSCs placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells, PRL-1 phosphatase of regenerating liver-1, PDGF-BB platelet-derived growth factor-BB, PDGFRβ platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta, VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGFR2 vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, mTOR mammalian target of rapamycin, LC3 microtube-associated protein 1 light chain 3, PKCδ protein kinase C-delta, Src proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src, ERG ETS-related gene, FZD4 frizzled class receptor 4, AMH anti-Mullerian hormone, E2 estrogen, Nobox newborn ovary homeobox, BMP15 bone morphogenetic protein 15, EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor