Extracellular Vesicles in Reproductive Communication: From Gametogenesis to Implantation
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 124
Special Issue Editors
Interests: extracellular vesicles (EVs); reproductive biology; oocyte maturation; embryo development; assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs); cell-to-cell communication; EV cargo profiling (RNAs, proteins, lipids); developmental competence; small non-coding RNAs; epigenetic regulation
Interests: extracellular vesicles (EVs); reproductive biology; metabolic inflammation and fertility; innate immune function and fertility; metagenomics and fertility
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as central mediators of reproductive communication, orchestrating intercellular signaling across gametogenesis, fertilization, early embryo development, and implantation. These nano-sized vesicles, released by germ cells, somatic cells of the reproductive tract, and embryos, transfer regulatory cargos—including RNAs, proteins, lipids, and metabolites—that influence reproductive success, embryo-maternal interactions, and offspring health.
This Special Issue focuses on the physiological and translational roles of EVs in reproductive biology, aiming to bridge in vivo and in vitro perspectives. We invite studies elucidating how EVs regulate oocyte and sperm maturation, gamete-gamete communication, and embryo-maternal crosstalk, as well as investigations modeling these processes in in vitro systems. Research exploring EV supplementation in oocyte maturation and embryo culture as a means to mimic natural communication and improve developmental outcomes is also encouraged.
Submissions may address EV biogenesis, cargo composition, mechanistic signaling pathways, or diagnostic and therapeutic applications related to reproductive function and fertility disorders. The overarching goal is to illustrate how EV-mediated communication sustains reproductive competence and developmental integrity from gametogenesis to implantation.
Key themes include:
- EV biogenesis and molecular cargo in gametes and reproductive tract fluids;
- Roles of EVs in oocyte maturation, fertilization, embryo-maternal signaling, and implantation;
- EV-mediated mechanisms in reproductive disorders (e.g., PCOS, endometriosis, infertility);
- EV supplementation in in vitro oocyte maturation or embryo culture as physiological models;
- Epigenetic and intergenerational effects of reproductive EVs;
- Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of reproductive EVs.
Editorial Quality Assurance:
Manuscripts will be evaluated by at least two independent reviewers based on scientific rigor, originality, and methodological quality. Priority will be given to studies offering novel mechanistic or translational insights into EV function in reproductive biology.
Dr. Nima Azari-Dolatabad
Dr. Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- extracellular vesicles
- reproductive biology
- gametogenesis
- oocyte maturation
- embryo-maternal communication
- implantation
- reproductive disorders
- epigenetic regulation
- EV Cargo
- intercellular signaling
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