Reproduction Task Force

The interest in the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in different aspects of reproduction has rapidly grown over the last decade, as evidenced by an increase in the number of publications. Due to its natural complexity (species, reproductive organ and fluid volumes) this area of research needs to be treated with caution to avoid misleading conclusions.

This variety of species, fluids - which come in different volumes (from a few ul to liters), concentration of EVs, as well as culture and collection methods used, make it difficult to interpret and integrate available data. Thus, the Reproduction task force's goal is to create a set of guidelines for sample collection, preparation, isolation, storage and characterization from multiple biological sources (follicular fluid, uterine fluid, oviductal fluid, seminal plasma, gametes and embryo conditioned media) highlighting species-specific challenges/modifications. For applied EV experiments, we also want to focus on validation, toxicity and traceability issues. Additionally, we want to create a repository for antibody information, in order to help EVs scientists to avoid wasting time searching for EVs protein markers with non-validated antibodies to the species of interest.

Contact Info

Dr. Beatriz Fernandez-Fuertes ([email protected])
Dr. Juliano da Silveira ([email protected])
Dr. Marcia de Almeida Monteiro Melo Ferraz ([email protected])

Activities
  1. Determine the current state of reproductive EV research by elaborating a questionnaire that will be sent to researchers working in this field.
  2. Map researchers working with EVs in different aspects of reproduction and different countries/continents, to provide a more ample network of researchers that can lead to collaborations, exchange of protocols and ideas, as well as training opportunities.
  3. Organize a virtual symposium to discuss the results of the questionnaire, recruit contributing members and plan a positional manuscript.
  4. Write a positional manuscript(s) to help guide future experiments and make data between studies comparable.
  5. Create an antibody database for EV markers in different species