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Ex Utero Culture of Mouse Embryos from Pregastrulation to Advanced Organogenesis
Published on: October 19, 2021
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Extracellular vesicles affecting embryo development in vitro: a potential culture medium supplement
Yamei Xue1, Haixia Zheng2, Yuping Xiong2
1Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
|October 3, 2024
Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from healthy sources enhance early embryo development in vitro. Pathological EVs harm development, emphasizing the critical importance of EV source and condition for optimizing embryo culture.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication.
- EVs are nanoscale lipid bilayer vesicles released by various cell types.
- Their role in early embryonic development is an area of growing research interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effects of extracellular vesicles (EVs) on in vitro early embryonic development.
- To assess the impact of different EV sources and conditions on embryo culture outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases up to June 2024.
- Inclusion of 28 relevant studies investigating EVs in early embryonic development.
- Analysis of EVs derived from diverse sources like biofluids and cells from various species.
Main Results:
- Supplementation with EVs from physiologically normal sources positively impacts in vitro embryonic development.
- EVs derived from cells under pathological conditions demonstrate detrimental effects on embryo development.
- The source and physiological state of EVs are critical determinants of their effect on embryo culture.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular vesicles hold significant therapeutic potential for optimizing in vitro embryo culture systems.
- Careful selection of EV source and condition is crucial for successful application in assisted reproductive technologies.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the potential and challenges of using EVs in in vitro embryo production.
