| Stem cell therapy and exosome therapy are the two experimental methods that are now at the center of attention.
Various types of stem cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells and spermatogonial stem cells have been widely
administrated in reproductive medicine. However, due to the limitation of injecting living cells, using their
paracrine secretions such as exosomes seems to be a better option. Exosomes show regenerative, pro-angiogenic,
anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypoxic, and anti-fibrotic characteristics. They can induce cell proliferation,
cell viability, migration, oogenesis, spermatogenesis, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and embryonic
implantation. Exosomes have shown promising results in regenerative medicine such as liver fibrosis, stroke,
cardiac ischemia, and skin injuries. Exosomes have been used to treat reproductive diseases such as erectile
dysfunction and primary ovarian insufficiency. However, the study of exosomes in reproductive medicine is
limited. In this article, we are going to review some of the researches on the use of stem cells and exosomes in
reproductive medicine and suggest administration of a combination of exosomes for alleviating the symptoms of
endometriosis and asthenozoospermia based on previous studies. |