Did you know that almost 18% of couples trying to have children have difficulty conceiving? Yes, according to the World Health Organization, one in six adults experience this problem worldwide. And in about half of these cases the male factor is to blame.
Even though it is such a pressing issue, we are still in the process of figuring out the causes of male infertility; hence it is called unexplained infertility or more technically idiopathic in nature.
A little-known little protagonist may be more important than we think in clearing up the mystery: the extracellular seminal vesicles. These tiny particles may hide answers to important questions about fertility issues.
Microscopic delivery vehicles
What exactly are extracellular vesicles? We can think of them as messengers that travel from one cell to another, carrying important information to ensure the proper functioning of our organs. With a nanometric size similar to that of a virus, they act as delivery vehicles filled with proteins, nucleic acids and other important molecules.
They are not only essential for maintaining physiological processes in the body, but also play a fundamental role in the occurrence and development of diseases, including cancer.
In fact, all—absolutely all—of our body fluids contain these extracellular vesicles. Seminal plasma, the fluid that accompanies and nourishes sperm, is also full of them. More specifically, they are called seminal extracellular vesicles.
Necessary to create life
In the context of reproduction, the mission of these particles is key: to transport molecules between cells of the male and female reproductive tracts, regulating important processes that determine reproductive success.
Research has shown that the extracellular seminal vesicles directly interact with sperm, playing an important role in preparing them for the journey to the egg and subsequent fertilization.
Not only that, but they also have the ability to modify the immune response of the uterus, creating a receptive environment that allows implantation and subsequent development of the embryo.
Simply put, extracellular seminal vesicles are essential tools in the early stages of creating new life. However, not everything is as simple as it seems. All of these functions are due to a fundamental aspect: their composition.
Potential Fertility Markers
Comprehensive review by our research team animal andrologyfrom the University of Murcia, analyzed more than 1,400 scientific papers and concluded that the extracellular seminal vesicles are more than just spectators of the reproductive process.
One of the most important findings is how its composition may differ between fertile men and people with fertility problems, mainly in terms of proteins and small nucleic acids. This suggests that certain components may play a critical role in regulating reproductive function.
Read more: Inflammasome is a key and little-known factor in human infertility
Thus, through the analysis of their contents, extracellular seminal vesicles become potential markers of male fertility, opening a promising path for the development of more accurate and non-invasive diagnostic tests.
Modified vesicles on demand
Taking the above into account, integrating knowledge of seminal extracellular vesicles into clinical practice may change the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility, especially when it is of unclear origin.
But how is this possible? Advances in molecular engineering will make it possible to modify the composition of these vital particles on demand so that they transport and distribute drugs or molecules to cells that alter the conditions thought to cause infertility.
Although the results are encouraging, research on the subject is still at a relatively early stage. Additional experimental and clinical studies are required.
In addition, it is critical to improve and standardize vesicle isolation protocols and characterizations. This will ensure consistency and comparability of results across laboratories.
Each advance and new discovery in this scientific field brings hope to many couples wishing to have children, highlighting the potential that extracellular seminal vesicles have in the future of reproductive medicine.