Space can unexpectedly affect the ability of mammalian sperm, including human sperm, to fertilize eggs. The effects of weightlessness influence their ability to find the right path.
Sperm and weightlessness
Scientists continue to study the potential effects of space on various parts of the human body. This time, researchers from the University of Adelaide have found that there could be some serious issues with human reproduction in space.
Specifically, we are talking about the ability of mammalian sperm. Scientists had previously considered this question and concluded that space did not have any particular effect on sperm; now, they have realized that, in addition to speed, sperm also have to navigate a rather complicated path to the egg.
And, of course, no one conducted any such experiments on the ISS this time either. Instead, the researchers created a device that spun the sperm around for a long time in an attempt to confuse their sense of direction. And then they were sent into a special maze designed to mimic the female reproductive system, where they had to make their way to the egg.
Results of the experiment
The experiment was conducted using sperm from three species of mammals, including humans. However, it was only fully tested on mouse germ cells. And the results were not very encouraging. According to an article published in Communications Biology, the number of fertilized eggs was 30% lower than in the control group.
In other words, sperm really can get lost in space. At the same time, researchers found that adding the male hormone progesterone significantly reduced the effect of disorientation. However, it should be noted that the experiment cannot be considered entirely accurate. Actual weightlessness affects all living organisms in a way that differs from the model used in the experiment.
And this question is truly important. Real exploration of space is only possible when people live there permanently. And that’s only possible if children are born there, and that shouldn’t be a problem.
According to phys.org
