Exosomes as a Potential Tool for Supporting Canine Oocyte Development

Abstract

The canine oviduct is a unique reproductive organ where the ovulated immature oocytes complete their maturation, while the other mammals ovulate matured gametes. Due to their peculiar reproductive characteristics, the in vitro maturation of dog oocytes is still not wellestablished compared with other mammals. Investigations of the microenvironment conditions in the oviductal canal are required to establish a reliable in vitro maturation system in the dog. Previous studies have suggested that the oviduct and its derivatives play a key role in improving fertilization as well as embryo development. In particular, the biological function of oviduct-derived exosomes on sperm and early embryo development has been investigated in porcine, bovine, and murine species. However, the information about their functions on canine cumulus-oocyte complexes is still elusive. Recent canine reproductive studies demonstrated how oviduct-derived extracellular vesicles such as microvesicles and exosomes interact with oocyte-cumulus complexes and how they can play roles in regulating canine cumulus/oocyte communications. In this review, we summarize the physiological characteristics of canine oviduct-derived exosomes and their potential effects on cumulus cells development as well as oocyte in vitro maturation via molecular signaling pathways.