Introduction: Infertility has become a major issue, especially in aging societies. While traditional treatments like ovulation drugs and assisted reproductive technologies offer some relief, they often face significant limitations. This has led researchers to investigate advanced alternatives, such as stem cell therapies and exosomes. Exosomes, as extracellular vesicles capable of crossing cellular barriers and carrying diverse biological molecules, represent a promising new avenue in infertility research. Their unique properties make them potential tools for both improved diagnostics and innovative treatments. This review explores the role of exosomes in reproductive health, assessing their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic agents to address infertility challenges
Methods: In this study, using the keywords of exosome, biomarker, female infertility in electronic databases Scopus, PubMed, Google scholar and Web of Science, studies in this field were searched, also using the keywords of the desired study. 182 articles were obtained and according to the intended purpose and removing duplicate articles, 59 articles were obtained.
Results: In this article, the role of exosomes as biological nanoparticles with great potential in the treatment and diagnosis of reproductive disorders, especially female infertility, was investigated. Due to their ability to carry various cargoes such as microRNA and proteins and transfer them to the target cells, exosomes can have a wide impact on improving reproductive performance. These particles, as mediating tools, have the ability to regenerate and repair damaged tissues, including ovaries and uterus, and can be used as new therapeutic strategies in disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, Asherman syndrome, and endometriosis. Since female reproductive disorders are complexly related to genetic, hormonal and environmental factors, using exosomes as natural and non-invasive carriers for cellular information transfer is considered an innovative and promising approach. Recent studies have shown that exosomes can provide significant improvements in the treatment of these disorders; including reducing apoptosis, increasing vascularization and improving cell activities in reproductive tissues. Also, the important role of exosomal microRNAs in regulating key molecular pathways indicates the potential capacity of these particles in correcting genetic and metabolic abnormalities associated with infertility. However, although initial results have been positive, more research and more detailed clinical studies are needed to fully exploit these potentials. Exosomes, due to their stability and high efficiency, can be used as new diagnostic and therapeutic tools in reproductive medicine. The future of infertility treatments and reproductive disorders looks brighter according to these findings, and the use of exosomes can open a new window to effective and minimally invasive approaches that potentially improve the quality of life and health of women.
Conclusion: Recent studies indicate that exosomes hold significant potential as innovative tools for diagnosing and treating infertility. These biological nanoparticles play a crucial role in managing conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and premature ovarian failure. Moreover, the stability and ease of extraction of exosomes from biological fluids make them a reliable and effective tool for early diagnosis and monitoring treatment progress. Consequently, the use of exosomes could lead to substantial improvements in infertility treatment methods and open new avenues for future research and therapies in this field
Keywords: Exosomes, Biomarkers, and Female Infertility