Research progress on roles of primary cilia on fertility.
10.3724/zdxbyxb-2025-0480
- Author:
Yuan YUAN
1
;
Rui LIU
2
;
Hefeng HUANG
3
Author Information
1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China. 22418754@zju.edu.cn.
2. Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China.
3. Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu 322000, China. hhf57@zju.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Egg;
Endometrium;
Fertility;
Ovarian function;
Placental development;
Primary cilium;
Review;
Sperm
- From:
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences
2025;():1-8
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The primary cilium is a microtubule-based organelle that projects from the cell surface. It is present in cells from single-celled eukaryotes to vertebrates, including humans. Recent studies have found that primary cilia are also widely distributed in multiple organs and tissues of the reproductive system, where they influence reproductive function by directly participating in or indirectly regulating related signaling pathways, thereby affecting fertility. Primary cilia participate in the regulation of oocyte meiosis and development. They also influence sperm maturation by regulating the homeostatic microenvironment required for spermiogenesis. By mediating Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt signaling pathways, primary cilia regulate endometrial receptivity and decidual response, thereby influencing the embryo implantation rate. Furthermore, primary cilia control the migration, invasion, differentiation, and vascular remodeling of human chorionic villi mesenchymal stromal cells and trophoblasts. Structural or functional impairment of primary cilia may disrupt placental vascular remodeling, leading to placental hypoplasia, potentially through the downregulation of downstream target genes of the Hh signaling pathway. Moreover, primary cilia may be involved in ovarian aging, ovulation, and endocrine function. This article reviews the research progress on the relationship between primary cilia and fertility, explores the potential mechanisms underlying roles of primary cilia in gamete development, endometrial receptivity, decidualization, placental development, and ovarian reproductive endocrine function, and aims to provide new insights for fertility preservation and the prevention and treatment of human reproductive disorders.
