Pre-implantation embryos release extracellular vesicles containing different molecules, including DNA. The presence of embryonic DNA in E-EVs released into the culture medium during in vitro embryo production could be useful for genetic diagnosis. However, the vesicles containing DNA might be derived from embryos suffering from apoptosis, i.e., embryos of bad quality. This work intended to confirm that embryos release DNA that is useful for genotyping by evaluating the effect of embryonic apoptosis on DNA content in E-EVs. Bovine embryos were produced by parthenogenesis and in vitro fertilization (IVF). On Day 5, morulae were transferred to individual cultures in an EV-depleted SOF medium. On Day 7, embryos were used to evaluate cellular apoptosis, and each culture medium was collected to evaluate E-EV concentration, characterization, and DNA quantification. While no effect of the origin of the embryo on the apoptotic rate was found, arrested morulae had a higher apoptotic rate. E-EVs containing DNA were identified in all samples, and the concentration of those vesicles was not affected by the origin or quality of the embryos. However, the concentration of DNA was higher in EVs released by the arrested parthenogenetic embryos. There was a correlation between the concentration of E-EVs, the concentration of DNA-positive E-EVs, and the concentration of DNA. There was no negative effect of apoptotic rate on DNA-positive E-EVs and DNA concentration; however, embryos of the best quality with a low apoptotic rate still released EVs containing DNA. This study confirms that the presence of DNA in E-EVs is independent of embryo quality. Therefore, E-EVs could be used in liquid biopsy for noninvasive genetic diagnosis.

Context: Herbal drugs are a mixture of active compounds and the chemical complexity of each formulation increase with the possibility of interactions between them and conventional drugs. Many mechanisms are implicated in the interactions; scientific community has dedicated the attentions to enzymes as P-gp and CYP450. Aims: To investigate in the literature the principal plants with suspicions of adverse reactions in Cuba and their potential interactions with conventional drugs. Methods: PubMed was the database used as source of information until February 2014. Key words: Herb-Drug, Drug-Plant, Herbal–Drug, Interactions with scientific names of plants was used. Information was structured and analysed with EndNote X4. Analysis and integration of the information: Allium sativum L. (garlic) was the plant with the high number of studies related with CYP450 and P-gp. Plants with great demand as Morinda citrifolia L. (noni), Psidium guajava L. (guayaba), Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) and Eucalyptus spp. (eucalyptus) have a very small number of studies. The professionals of the health should keep in mind the possibility of interactions between herbal products and conventional drugs to increase the effectiveness of phytotherapy. Conclusions: It is necessary enhance reports and investigations and to put to disposition of the system of health information on the interactions of plants and to stimulate the investigation that offers information for the rational use of our medicinal plants.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an important component of embryo–maternal communication by conveying molecular signals that reflect the embryo’s physiological state and developmental competence. However, the combined impact of embryonic origin and developmental stage on EV molecular composition has remained largely unexplored. In this study, a comparison is presented for the first time between EVs secreted by bovine embryos produced in vivo (IVV) and in vitro (IVP) during the blastulation and hatching stages, providing evidence of how these factors shape their biological profiles. Results: IVV embryos exhibited higher developmental competence and secreted larger EVs whose concentrations remained stable across developmental windows. In contrast, IVP embryos released smaller and more abundant vesicles, particularly during hatching, indicating origin- and stage-specific regulation of EV output. Distinct miRNA profiles clearly separated both embryo types. EVs from IVV embryos were enriched in miRNAs associated with implantation and lineage specification (e.g., miR-124, miR-125, miR-181), whereas EVs from IVP embryos contained higher levels of miRNAs linked to stress response, apoptosis, and the unfolded protein response (e.g., miR-23b, miR-92a, miR-409). Consistently, functional enrichment analyses revealed that IVV-derived miRNAs targeted pathways related to immune modulation and purinergic signaling, while IVP-derived miRNAs were associated with calcium transport and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways. Together, these differences point to divergent regulatory programs shaped simultaneously by embryonic origin and developmental progression. Conclusions: Embryonic origin and developmental stage influence the biophysical properties and miRNA composition of embryo-secreted EVs, reflecting distinct developmental trajectories between IVV and IVP embryos. This study provides the first direct evidence that embryonic origin significantly modulates EV physicochemical features and miRNA cargo, highlighting their role in embryo–maternal communication and supporting the use of EV-derived miRNAs as novel non-invasive biomarkers of embryo quality and developmental competence.

Background: Endometrosis is a prevalent fibrotic condition in mares that impairs reproductive efficiency by inducing transdifferentiation of endometrial stromal cells into myofibroblasts, leading to excessive ECM deposition. Methods: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying fibrosis resolution, this study employed comprehensive proteomic techniques, including LC-MS/MS and SILAC, to analyze the interaction between myofibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells derived from the endometrium (ET-eMSCs) preconditioned with PGE₂. An in vitro co-culture system was used, with samples collected at baseline and after 48 h. Results: Proteomic analysis identified significant alterations in proteins associated with ECM remodeling, immune regulation, and cellular stress response. Notably, proteins involved in collagen degradation, antioxidant defense, and growth factor signaling pathways were differentially abundant. Network analyses demonstrated robust interactions among these proteins, suggesting coordinated modulatory effects. The data indicate that PGE₂-primed ET-eMSCs induce a shift in myofibroblast secretory profiles, promoting a reduction in ECM stiffness, tissue reorganization, and activation of resolution pathways. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD067551. Conclusions: These findings reinforce the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-based interventions for fibrotic diseases of the endometrium, opening avenues for regenerative strategies to restore reproductive function in mares.

Endometrosis is a prevalent fibrotic condition in mares that impairs reproductive efficiency by inducing aberrant transformation of endometrial stromal cells into myofibroblasts, leading to excessive extracellular matrix deposition. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying fibrosis resolution, this study employed comprehensive proteomic techniques, including LC-MS/MS and SILAC, to analyze the interaction between myofibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells derived from the endometrium (ET-eMSCs) preconditioned with PGE₂. An in vitro co-culture system was used, with samples collected at baseline and after 48 hours. Proteomic analysis identified significant alterations in proteins associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, immune regulation, and cellular stress response. Notably, proteins involved in collagen degradation, antioxidant defense, and growth factor signaling pathways were differentially abundant. Network analyses demonstrated robust interactions among these proteins, suggesting coordinated modulatory effects. The data indicates that PGE₂-primed ET-eMSCs induce a shift in myofibroblast secretory profiles, promoting ECM “softening,” tissue reorganization, and activation of resolution pathways. These findings reinforce the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-based interventions for fibrotic diseases of the endometrium, opening avenues for regenerative strategies to restore reproductive function in mares.