Both immunohistochemical staining and western blotting results indicated that the protein levels of NLRP3, ATG5, Beclin1, ULK1, as well as LC3II/I radio were enhanced, while the phosphorylation of mTOR and P70S6K was suppressed in ovarian tissues of PCOS rats, whereas BSHLD intervention abolished the above alterations (Fig. 2C, D, E). The gene discussed is ULK1; the disease is polycystic ovary syndrome.