• Exosomes as Innovative Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Infertility
  • samira mozaffari khosravi,1 marzieh lotfi,2,*
    2. Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of medical sciences, Yazd, Iran


  • 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, studies in this field were searched using the keywords exosome, biomarker, and female infertility in the electronic databases Scopus, PubMed, Google scholar, and Web of Science. Also, using the keywords of the desired study, 182 articles were obtained, and considering 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. Exosomes can play a wide range of effects in improving reproductive function due to their ability to carry various cargoes such as microRNA and proteins and deliver them to target cells. As mediators, these particles have the ability to regenerate and repair damaged tissues, including the ovaries and uterus, and can be used as novel therapeutic strategies in disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, premature ovarian failure, Asherman syndrome, and endometriosis. Since female reproductive disorders are intricately related to genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, the use of exosomes as natural and non-invasive carriers for the transfer of cellular information is 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 cellular activities in reproductive tissues. Also, the important role of exosomal microRNAs in regulating key molecular pathways indicates the potential of these particles in correcting genetic and metabolic abnormalities associated with infertility. However, although initial results have been positive, further research and more rigorous 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 and reproductive disorders treatments looks brighter in light of 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, Female Infertility