Novel roles for seminal fluid extracellular vesicles

<p dir="ltr">Seminal fluid extracellular vesicles (SFEVs) are increasingly recognised as key regulators of reproductive success, exerting effects on both sperm function and the female reproductive tract. Derived primarily from the prostate and epididymis, SFEVs carry a complex molecular cargo—including lipids, proteins, and small non-coding RNAs—that are thought to support fertilisation and early reproductive events. Despite growing interest in their potential, inconsistencies in isolation methods and experimental designs have limited our understanding of SFEV function. This thesis aimed to comprehensively characterise the role of human SFEVs at conception using a robust enrichment protocol and multi-faceted experimental approach.</p><p dir="ltr">The central focus of this research was threefold: (1) to define the influence of human SFEVs on male gamete function; (2) to investigate how SFEVs modulate the female reproductive tract cellular environment and to identify the signalling pathways involved in this interaction; and (3) to profile the protein composition of SFEVs to better understand their functional cargo. Together, these studies provide critical insights into the mechanisms by which SFEVs contribute to reproductive processes and lay the groundwork for future applications of EV-based diagnostics or therapeutics in fertility and reproductive health.</p>