MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, about 22 nucleotides, non-coding RNAs which regulate a wide range of gene expression during post-transcriptional stage. They are released into intra- and extracellular microenvironments and play vital roles in different physiological and pathological pathways. Due to easy accessibility, detection of extracellular miRNAs in body fluids, e.g. serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and follicular fluid, has been explored in recent years. Since miRNAs are stable at unsuitable conditions, scientists have been investigating to use them as biomarkers in different fields of medicines. It goes without saying that experienced biomarkers would be required in reproductive medicine as well. Biomarkers can help clinicians and embryologists to diagnose disorders and assess the embryo quality via molecular pattern which is more reliable than nowadays routine methods. Follicular fluid as a noninvasive fluid in assisted reproductive techniques (ART) has attracted researchers as a rich pool for biomarkers, and miRNAs are not exception. Although miRNA biomarkers in reproduction field are located on their initial stage and there is a long path to move forward, several meticulous studies have been performed and discovered their associations with various conditions. In this regard, we summarize the reported miRNAs in follicular fluid and their correlations with female infertility and ART success rate, while subsequent investigations are required.

MicroRNA (miRNA) 是大约 22 个核苷酸的小型非编码 RNA，可在转录后阶段调节广泛的基因表达。它们被释放到细胞内和细胞外微环境中，并在不同的生理和病理途径中发挥重要作用。由于易于获取，近年来人们开始探索体液（例如血清、血浆、脑脊液和卵泡液）中细胞外 miRNA 的检测。由于 miRNA 在不合适的条件下保持稳定，科学家们一直在研究将它们用作不同医学领域的生物标志物。不言而喻，生殖医学也需要经验丰富的生物标志物。生物标志物可以帮助临床医生和胚胎学家诊断疾病并通过分子模式评估胚胎质量，这比现在的常规方法更可靠。卵泡液作为辅助生殖技术 (ART) 中的一种非侵入性液体，作为丰富的生物标志物库吸引了研究人员，miRNA 也不例外。尽管miRNA生物标志物在生殖领域还处于起步阶段，还有很长的路要走，但已经进行了一些细致的研究并发现了它们与各种条件的关联。对此，我们总结了已报道的卵泡液中的miRNA及其与女性不孕症和ART成功率的相关性，并需要后续研究。