Extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders: a comprehensive review
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate intercellular communication and the conveyance of bioactive substances, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. They play a significant role in various reproductive biological processes, including gametogenesis, fertilization, early embryo development,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Endocrinology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1550068/full |
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| author | Jinguang Wang Dan Wang Yuemin Zhang Pingping Sun Lankai Yi Ailing Han Wenjie Zhao Yuhua Zhang Huagang Ma |
| author_facet | Jinguang Wang Dan Wang Yuemin Zhang Pingping Sun Lankai Yi Ailing Han Wenjie Zhao Yuhua Zhang Huagang Ma |
| author_sort | Jinguang Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate intercellular communication and the conveyance of bioactive substances, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. They play a significant role in various reproductive biological processes, including gametogenesis, fertilization, early embryo development, and implantation. Dysfunctional EV activity is associated with various reproductive diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, male infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This review systematically examines and categorizes current knowledge on EV functions in reproductive biology and disorders, and their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. A systematic literature search from 2000 to 2024 identified studies showing EVs’ influence on gamete maturation, fertilization, embryonic development, and implantation. They also play a role in reproductive disorders by affecting insulin resistance, androgen production, inflammation, angiogenesis, sperm quality, and maternal-fetal immune tolerance. The review concludes that EVs are integral to reproductive health, with further research needed to understand their mechanisms and clinical potential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0554fa9f5f71443e9551fd71a6dbb360 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-2392 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Endocrinology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0554fa9f5f71443e9551fd71a6dbb3602025-08-20T02:32:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-06-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15500681550068Extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders: a comprehensive reviewJinguang Wang0Dan Wang1Yuemin Zhang2Pingping Sun3Lankai Yi4Ailing Han5Wenjie Zhao6Yuhua Zhang7Huagang Ma8Reproductive Medicine Center of Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center of Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center of Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center of Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Hand, Foot, and Orthopedics Surgery, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center of Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center of Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center of Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center of Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaExtracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate intercellular communication and the conveyance of bioactive substances, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. They play a significant role in various reproductive biological processes, including gametogenesis, fertilization, early embryo development, and implantation. Dysfunctional EV activity is associated with various reproductive diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, male infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This review systematically examines and categorizes current knowledge on EV functions in reproductive biology and disorders, and their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. A systematic literature search from 2000 to 2024 identified studies showing EVs’ influence on gamete maturation, fertilization, embryonic development, and implantation. They also play a role in reproductive disorders by affecting insulin resistance, androgen production, inflammation, angiogenesis, sperm quality, and maternal-fetal immune tolerance. The review concludes that EVs are integral to reproductive health, with further research needed to understand their mechanisms and clinical potential.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1550068/fullextracellular vesiclesspermoocytefertilityembryosembryo implantation |
| spellingShingle | Jinguang Wang Dan Wang Yuemin Zhang Pingping Sun Lankai Yi Ailing Han Wenjie Zhao Yuhua Zhang Huagang Ma Extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders: a comprehensive review Frontiers in Endocrinology extracellular vesicles sperm oocyte fertility embryos embryo implantation |
| title | Extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders: a comprehensive review |
| title_full | Extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders: a comprehensive review |
| title_fullStr | Extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders: a comprehensive review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders: a comprehensive review |
| title_short | Extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders: a comprehensive review |
| title_sort | extracellular vesicles in reproductive biology and disorders a comprehensive review |
| topic | extracellular vesicles sperm oocyte fertility embryos embryo implantation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1550068/full |
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