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Review
. 2021 Mar;38(3):549-557.
doi: 10.1007/s10815-020-02048-2. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Extracellular vesicles and female reproduction

Ronit Machtinger  1   2 , Andrea A Baccarelli  3 , Haotian Wu  3
Affiliations
Review

Extracellular vesicles and female reproduction

Ronit Machtinger et al. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized membrane bound complexes that have been identified as a mean for intercellular communication between cells and tissues both in physiological and pathological conditions. These vesicles contain numerous molecules involved in signal transduction including microRNAs, mRNAs, DNA, proteins, lipids, and cytokines and can affect the behavior of recipient cells. Female reproduction is dependent on extremely fine-tuned endocrine regulation, and EVs may represent an added layer that contributes to this regulation. This narrative review article provides an update on the research of the role of EVs in female reproduction including folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryo quality, and implantation. We also highlight potential pitfalls in typical EV studies and discuss gaps in the current literature.

Keywords: Blastocyst; Embryos; Extracellular vesicles; Infertility; miRNA.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Role of EVs in Female Reproduction
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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