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The Journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology"Journal HistoryAims and ScopePolicies on Conflict of Interest, Human and Animal Rights, and Informed ConsentEditorial ProcessData sharing statementAdvertising PolicyThe Process for Handling Cases Requiring Corrections, Retractions, and Editorial Expressions of ConcernEditorial BoardEditorial CounsilInformation for ProfessionalsNewsContacts
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Obstetrics and Gynegology2026№5

Extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stromal cells as a promising component of culture media for assisted reproductive technologies

DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.88

Makarova N.P., Karzakova D.V., Sharifova L.B., Yakimova A.S., Smolnikova V.Yu.

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia

This review of the current literature focuses on the use of mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) to improve embryo culture conditions in in vitro fertilization programs. The need for such optimization is due to the extremely low pregnancy rates in assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs among patients of advanced reproductive age.
The review considers a new approach, namely the use of the MSC secretome, as MSCs contain important regulatory molecules and can significantly improve the embryological parameters of the ART cycle. Studies on animals and cell models show that MSC-EVs improve the maturation of oocytes in vitro, reduce damage and enhance their metabolic processes, help embryos develop more effectively, increase the likelihood of reaching the blastocyst stage and boost the number of viable cells. However, all these data were obtained only in laboratory conditions. Before they can be used in humans, clinical trials must be conducted to verify their effectiveness and safety; it is also necessary to develop standard methods for obtaining and storing MSC-EVs.
The standardization of protocols, quality control, safety assessment, and clinical validation of approaches will contribute to the development of a new generation culture media capable of modulating biological processes, bringing in vitro conditions as close as possible to the physiological microenvironment of the reproductive tract.
Conclusion. MSC-EVs represent a promising biological tool for a fundamental revision of approaches to gamete and embryo culture in ART programs. Their integration into clinical practice opens up new opportunities for significantly improving the effectiveness of infertility treatment, particularly in complex cases of age-related decline in ovarian reserve, ovarian pathologies and recurrent implantation failure.

Authors’ contributions. Makarova N.P. – choosing the subject, developing the concept of the review article, writing and editing the manuscript, approval of the final version of the article; Karzakova D.V., Sharifova L.B. – search and analysis of scientific literature in terms of obstetrics and gynecology, making draft chapters of the article; Yakimova A.S. – search and analysis of scientific literature in terms of embryology, making draft chapters of the article; Smolnikova V.Yu. – identification of the clinical significance of the review, final approval of the manuscript of the article.
Conflicts of interest. The authors declare that there are no potential conflicts of interest and are familiar with the recommendations for authors who use AI when preparing and submitting their manuscript.
Funding. The work was carried out with financial support from State Commission (2026–2028) ‘Development of next-generation culture media supported by machine learning and personalization of the embryological stage of ART programs for patients with infertility’ of the Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology. 
For citation: Makarova N.P., Karzakova D.V., Sharifova L.B., Yakimova A.S., Smolnikova V.Yu. Extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stromal cells as a promising component of culture media for assisted reproductive technologies.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (5): 62-70 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.88

Keywords

extracellular vesicles
mesenchymal stromal cells
culture media
embryo
infertility
assisted reproductive technologies
Full text (in Russian)

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Received 18.03.2026

Accepted 30.04.2026

About the Authors

Natalya P. Makarova, Dr. Bio. Sci., Leading Researcher at the Prof. B.V. Leonov Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4,
np_makarova@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1396-7272
Darya V. Karzakova, Resident at the the Prof. B.V. Leonov Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, darya_daryaa@icloud.com
Leyla B. Sharifova, PhD student at the Prof. B.V. Leonov Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, leyla_zod@mail.ru
Alexandra S. Yakimova, Embryologist, Junior Researcher at the Prof. B.V. Leonov Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4,
yakimoovaal@gmail.com
Veronika Yu. Smolnikova, Dr. Med. Sci., Leading Researcher at the Prof. B.V. Leonov Department of Assistive Technologies in Infertility Treatment, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4,
v_smolnikova@oparina4.ru

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