The Potential of Jatropha variegata Fruits as a Natural Contraceptive: Antifertility Activity and Phytochemical Analysis

Figure 2

Histopathological studies on rat ovaries. (a) Ovary from negative control group: primary follicle (PF), antral follicles (AnF), Graafian follicle (GF), oocyte (O), corona radiata (red arrow), zona granulose (ZG), basement membrane (green arrow), theca externa (yellow arrow), theca interna (blue arrow), cumulus oophorous (CO), and interstitial tissue (IT). (b) Ovary from rats treated with estradiol valerate: vacuolated oocytes (arrow), atretic follicles (AF), and corpus luteum (CL). (c) Ovary from rats treated with plant extract (300 mg/kg): shrinkage and shift of ooplasm to one side (green arrow), absence of nucleus and zona pellucida (red arrow), cavities surrounding the ovum (black arrows), vacant areas in the ovary stroma (blue arrows), only one follicle showed nucleus (∗), OES: optical empty spaces, OFD: ovarian follicle denudation, and E: edema. (d) Ovary from rats treated with plant extract plus estradiol: degenerative different ovarian follicles (arrows) and disruption of the area that surrounded the ovum (∗) and vacuolated the antrum (V) (H&E, ×100).