This project was conducted in pig, considered as a suitable animal model for basic, biotechnological as well as biomedical research purposes. SPARTEVs has led to establish a procedure capable to accurately isolate EV subtypes from pig SP, serving as a basis for the isolation of SP-EV subtypes from SP of other species and in other body fluids. SPARTEVs has also evidenced that both SP-EV-subtypes were able to be up taken by cumulus cells when they were added to IVM of oocytes, modifying their gene expression, without affecting oocyte nuclear maturation rates. These results evidenced that SP-EVs-subtypes can interact with female gamete, opening the possibility of a new area of research. Finally, this project also reported, that the supplementation with both pig SP-EV subtypes during IVF, decreases the IVF rates modulating sperm metabolism. This finding would indicate that SP-EVs would exert a direct effect on sperm, impairing sperm-oocyte binding, that may condition fertilization success. SPARTEVs has also deciphered the proteome profile of both pig SP-EV-subtypes. This achievement will allow a better understanding of the specific role played by each SP-EV subtype in reproductive processes and serve as steppingstone in the identification of biomarkers. This project evidenced, for the first time, that SP-EVs would act as carriers of immunoregulatory molecules (TGF β1, β2 and β3) indicating their key role in modulating the immune response of female genital tract, essential for successful embryo development. This finding may should be as basis for further studies in other mammalian species, including humans, considering that these SP-EV-immunoregulatory molecules may hold the key to some pathological processes (e.g. infertility), or even, serve as useful tool to improve ART outcomes. Overall, this project has addressed two H2020-challenges “Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing” and “Food security; sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and inland water research and the bioeconomy”.
