Roles of male reproductive tract extracellular vesicles in reproduction. (17th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tamessar, Cottrell T.; Trigg, Natalie A.; Nixon, Brett; Skerrett‐Byrne, David A.; Sharkey, David J.; Robertson, Sarah A.; Bromfield, Elizabeth G.; Schjenken, John E.
• Is Part Of: American journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 85:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-09-17
• Subjects: epididymis -- epididymosome -- extracellular vesicle -- male reproductive tract -- prostasome -- prostate -- seminal fluid -- sperm; Human reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; 616.69206
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.13338
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1046-7408

Abstract

Abstract : Sources of extracellular vesicles within the male reproductive tract. Given that the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a virtually ubiquitous property of all cell lineages, it appears likely that tissues across the male reproductive tract will produce EVs. While best characterized in the prostate and epididymis, evidence suggests that testis, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens produce populations of EVs that currently have unknown functions. Remarkably, EV populations originating beyond the male reproductive tract may exert influence on reproductive function and are postulated to act as messengers of lifetime experience. Abstract : Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted cell‐derived membrane structures present in all organisms across animal, bacterial, and plant phyla. These vesicles play important roles in cell‐cell communication in many processes integral to health and disease. Recent studies demonstrate that EVs and their cargo have influential and conserved roles in male reproduction. While EVs have been isolated from virtually all specialized tissues comprising the male reproductive tract, they are best characterized in the epididymis (epididymosomes) and seminal fluid (seminal fluid extracellular vesicles or prostasomes). Broadly speaking, EVs promote reproductive success through supporting sperm development and function, as well as influencing the physiology of female reproductive tract cells after mating. In this review, we present current knowledge on the composition and function of male reproductive tract EV populations in both normal physiology and pathology, and argue that their functions identify them as critical regulators of fertility and fecundity.