Research Paper Volume 9, Issue 1 pp 156—172

Figure 5. The effects of SM on the expressions of estrogen receptor ERα and β in the uterus and vagina. ERs expressions were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Representative photomicrographs taken at 200-X magnifiation of uterine in immature mice; 100-X magnifiation of uterine in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and 400-X magnifiation of vaginal sections. (A) show expression of ERs in immature mice. Treatment groups are shown: (i) control group; (ii) treated with E₂; (iii) treated with E₂ and ICI; (iv) treated with SM at 1.6 g/kg; (v) treated with SM at 1.6 g/kg and ICI, (vi) treated with SM at 3.2 g/kg; (vii) treated with SM at 3.2 g/kg and ICI. (B) show the expression of ERs in the ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Treatment groups are shown: (i) sham-operated mice; (ii) untreated OVX mice; (iii) treated with E₂; (iv) treated with E₂ and ICI, (v) treated with SM at 1.6 g/kg; (vi) treated with SM at 1.6 g/kg and ICI; (vii) treated with SM at 3.2 g/kg; (viii) treated with SM at 3.2 g/kg and ICI. Data are the mean and standard deviation from 10 mice. P values are for the one-way analysis of variance comparing the treatment group with untreated mice. (A) ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01 and *P < 0.05 compared with the Con group; ^###P < 0.001 and ^##P < 0.01compared with the SM group or E₂ group; ^▴▴P < 0.01 and ^▴P < 0.05 compared with the ERα. (B) ***P < 0.001 compared with the Sham group; ^###P < 0.001 and ^##P < 0.05 compared with the OVX group;^∆∆∆P < 0.001 compared with the SM group or E₂ group.