Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and localization of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the ovaries of mice in different age groups, and to explore the association between Nrf2 and premature ovarian aging. The present study identified the localization of Nrf2 protein by performing immunohistochemical assay of ovarian tissues obtained from mice in different age groups. The mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 were detected via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while the expression levels of Nrf2 protein and apoptosis-associated proteins, including Caspase3 and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), were evaluated by western blot analysis. The results revealed that Nrf2 protein was mainly localized in granulosa cells, as well as in the secondary follicles and antral follicles of oocytes. Nrf2 expression levels were significantly lower in mice aged 4 days compared with 12-week-old mice (P<0.05), and the level of Nrf2 was lower in mice aged 40 weeks compared with those aged 12 weeks (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of the apoptosis protein Caspase3 in the ovarian tissue of mice aged 3, 8 and 12 weeks remained markedly greater when compared with those aged 4 days and 40 weeks. Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, was also significantly expressed in the ovarian tissues of juvenile (4-day-old) mice when compared with mice aged >40 weeks (P<0.05). In conclusion, Nrf2 was highly expressed in the ovarian tissues of mice of childbearing age (8-12 weeks old) and may possibly be involved in ovarian regulatory functions. The results indicated that Nrf2 expression and localization may have important implications in the prevention of ovarian aging.