Immunosuppressants and Female Fertility

Immunosuppressants are essential for treating autoimmune diseases and preventing organ transplant rejection, yet they can negatively impact female fertility by impairing ovarian function, disrupting oocyte maturation, and affecting embryonic development. This study investigates the reproductive toxicity of prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine using in vitro sheep oocyte models, and evaluates the potential of umbilical cord blood-derived exosomes (CB-EVs) to counteract these effects. Oocytes and granulosa cells will be exposed to clinically relevant drug concentrations, with CB-EVs characterized and applied as a protective intervention. The research will assess oocyte viability, meiotic progression, mitochondrial activity, oxidative stress, and post-parthenogenesis embryonic development. Outcomes are expected to advance understanding of immunosuppressant-induced reproductive damage and explore novel, cell-free therapeutic strategies for fertility preservation in immunosuppressed patients. The findings could inform clinical guidelines and improve reproductive outcomes for women requiring long-term immunosuppressive therapy.

Organ Transplant Center of Excellence at KFSHRC.