Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized membrane bound complexes that have been identified as a mean for intercellular communication between cells and tissues both in physiological and pathological conditions. These vesicles contain numerous molecules involved in signal transduction including microRNAs, mRNAs, DNA, proteins, lipids, and cytokines and can affect the behavior of recipient cells. Female reproduction is dependent on extremely fine-tuned endocrine regulation, and EVs may represent an added layer that contributes to this regulation. This narrative review article provides an update on the research of the role of EVs in female reproduction including folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryo quality, and implantation. We also highlight potential pitfalls in typical EV studies and discuss gaps in the current literature.

细胞外囊泡 (EV) 是纳米尺寸的膜结合复合物，已被确定为生理和病理条件下细胞和组织之间细胞间通讯的一种手段。这些囊泡包含许多参与信号转导的分子，包括 microRNA、mRNA、DNA、蛋白质、脂质和细胞因子，并且可以影响受体细胞的行为。女性生殖依赖于极其精细的内分泌调节，而电动汽车可能代表了有助于这种调节的附加层。这篇叙述性评论文章提供了有关 EV 在女性生殖中的作用的最新研究，包括卵泡发生、受精、胚胎质量和植入。我们还强调了典型电动汽车研究中的潜在缺陷，并讨论了当前文献中的空白。