Figure 6.

In vitro, CTSB deficiency altered the expression (mRNA and protein) of folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis marker genes in mouse GC. (A,B) At 48 h of GC transfection with siCTSB and NC, culture media was harvested, and estradiol and progesterone concentration was measured with an ELISA kit. (C–E) FSHR and CYP11A1, as well as (F–H) LC3-I and ATG5, were quantified at the mRNA and protein level through real-time PCR and Western blotting following siCTSB transfection. Results from three independent experiments were shown as means ± SEM. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. siNC, negative control siRNA; siCTSB, cathepsin B siRNA; GCs, granulosa cells.