The Gut–Extracellular Vesicle–Mitochondria Axis in Reproductive Aging: Antioxidant and Anti-Senescence Mechanisms

Journal article : Review

Cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cumulative oxidative stress (OS) are the main causes of the progressive decreases in oocyte and sperm quality that define reproductive age. There is growing evidence that these processes are controlled by systemic variables, such as metabolites produced from the gut microbiome and extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated intercellular communication, rather than being exclusively regulated at the tissue level. Antioxidant enzymes, regulatory microRNAs, and bioactive lipids that regulate mitochondrial redox balance, mitophagy, and inflammatory signaling are transported by EVs derived from reproductive organs, stem cells, immune cells, and the gut microbiota. Concurrently, microbiome-derived metabolites such as urolithin A, short-chain fatty acids, and polyphenol derivatives enhance mitochondrial quality control, activate antioxidant pathways, and suppress senescence-associated secretory phenotypes. This narrative review integrates the most recent research on the relationship between redox homeostasis, mitochondrial function, gut microbiota activity, and EV signaling in the context of male and female reproductive aging. We propose an emerging gut–EV–mitochondria axis as a unified framework through which systemic metabolic and antioxidant signals affect gamete competence, reproductive tissue function, and fertility longevity. Finally, we discuss therapeutic implications, including microbiome modulation, EV-based interventions, and senotherapeutic strategies, highlighting key knowledge gaps and future research directions necessary for clinical translation.

Authors: Moustakli, E; Messini, C; Potiris, A; Zikopoulos, A; Arkoulis, I

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: MDPI
• Journal: Antioxidants
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 174-174
• Article number: 174
• Publication date: 2026-01-28
• Acceptance date: 2026-01-27
• DOI: 10.3390/antiox15020174
• EISSN: 2076-3921
• ISSN: 2076-3921
• Language: English
• Keywords: mitochondrial function; fertility; cellular senescence; oxidative stress; reproductive aging; gut microbiome; mitophagy; antioxidants; reproductive longevity; extracellular vesicles
• Subtype: Review