Fig. 3

NAC supplementation enhances the oxidative stress response in oocytes and increases antioxidant enzyme activity levels in the ovaries. After group intervention, MII oocytes were collected from each group of mice. Representative images of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measured with a JC-1 fluorescent probe (A) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels measured with a DCFH-DA fluorescent probe (C), along with statistical analysis of MMP (red/green) (B) and ROS signal (D). Comparison of nonenzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels (E) and enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) (F), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (G), and catalase (CAT) (H) in the ovarian tissues of each group after 12 days of intervention using the corresponding assay kits. Data are presented as mean ± SD and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (n = 4-6). *, p < 0.05; ***, p < 0.001. Scale bar = 200 μm. BF, bright field; ROS, reactive oxygen species; Met, metformin; NAC, N-acetylcysteine