Nlrp4a, as a member of the Nlrp gene family which consists of 20 members, is likely to play a role in the innate immune and reproductive systems in mice, similar to other family members. However, the exact unique function, associated pathways and its overall biological importance are yet to be fully explored, and genetic mouse models could be valuable for such functional studies.

The provided reference focuses on Nlrp4g instead of Nlrp4a. It shows that Nlrp4g is highly expressed in mature oocytes and zygotes, then downregulated after the 2-cell embryo stage, while NLRP4G protein persists until the blastocyst stage and is mainly cytoplasmic. Overexpression of Nlrp4g in zygotes doesn't affect blastocyst formation rate, suggesting it may be a maternal factor crucial during zygotic genome activation in mice [1].

In conclusion, while the reference pertains more to Nlrp4g, it implies that members of the Nlrp4 sub-family, potentially including Nlrp4a, may have significant roles in early embryonic development in mice. Further research using gene knockout (KO) or conditional knockout (CKO) mouse models for Nlrp4a could help reveal its specific functions in biological processes and potential associations with diseases.