Extracellular vesicles in follicular fluid: clinical aspects and molecular biology

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Abstract

Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane vesicles secreted into the extracellular medium by various cell types of reproductive tissues, have been discovered in human follicular fluid (FF). It was originally thought that EV secretion might be a mechanism used by cells to eliminate intracellular 'debris', but subsequent studies have shown that EVs are used to deliver specific molecular information encapsulated in a double-layered lipid membrane from the donor cell to the recipient cell. EVs contain bioactive molecules, such as mRNA, microRNA, proteins, and lipids, that enable communication and interaction between different cells and tissues, including between the oocyte and somatic cells of the growing follicle. EVs in follicular fluid play an important role in the biological processes of folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and early embryogenesis.

Conclusion: The reviewed studies provide an opportunity to increase our understanding of the complex mechanisms of reproductive biology and improve the potential for the use of EVs to optimize the embryological stage of in vitro oocyte and embryo culture in assisted reproductive technology programs.

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About the authors

Alina A. Dovgan

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Author for correspondence.
Email: lina.dovgan@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4927-3590

MD, PhD, Researcher, Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment

Russian Federation, Moscow

Zumriiat F. Akhmedova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: zyuka-1997@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4483-8820

Postgraduate Student, Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment

Russian Federation, Moscow

Anastasia P. Sysoeva

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: sysoeva.a.p@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6502-4498

Clinical Embryologist, Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment

Russian Federation, Moscow

Boris V. Zingerenko

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: b_zingerenko@oparina4.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8784-5502

Junior Researcher, Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment

Russian Federation, Moscow

Evgeniy A. Romanov

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: e_romanov@oparina4.ru

Clinical Embryologist, Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment

Russian Federation, Moscow

Denis N. Silachev

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: d_silachev@oparina4.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0581-9755

PhD, Chief of the Laboratory of Cellular Technologies

Russian Federation, Moscow

Natalya P. Makarova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: np_makarova@oparina4.ru

PhD, Leading Researcher, Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment

Russian Federation, Moscow

Elena A. Kalinina

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: e_kalinina@oparina4.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8922-2878

Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment

Russian Federation, Moscow

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