Reproductive health and development in spaceflight environments
As space missions extend in duration, the impact of spaceflight on human reproduction poses serious biomedical challenges. The reproductive system is susceptible to microgravity, ionizing radiation, and circadian disruption. This review summarizes current evidence on how space environments affect re...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2725&vmd=Full |
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| author | Byeonggyu Ahn Jina Ha Dawon Kang |
| author_facet | Byeonggyu Ahn Jina Ha Dawon Kang |
| author_sort | Byeonggyu Ahn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As space missions extend in duration, the impact of spaceflight on human reproduction poses serious biomedical challenges. The reproductive system is susceptible to microgravity, ionizing radiation, and circadian disruption. This review summarizes current evidence on how space environments affect reproductive function, focusing on gametogenesis, hormonal regulation, pregnancy, and embryonic development. We reviewed data from rodent models, parabolic flight experiments, and space-exposed cellular systems to assess the effect of space-relevant stressors on reproductive health. Findings show that microgravity impairs sperm motility and hormonal balance, while radiation increases DNA fragmentation and induces heritable epigenetic changes. Female reproductive health is similarly affected, with radiation accelerating follicular loss and hormonal disruption impairing ovulation. Early pregnancy stages, including implantation and placental development, are especially vulnerable to space conditions. Rodent studies indicate that while basic fertility may persist, the long-term effect on offspring health and multi-generational outcomes remains unclear. These findings highlight the need for targeted countermeasures and continued research to ensure reproductive success in future space missions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-233686f9d2a64cb098a11d90b0b493d5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2671-4639 2671-4663 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | The Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology |
| spelling | doaj-art-233686f9d2a64cb098a11d90b0b493d52025-08-20T03:31:11ZengThe Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and BiotechnologyJournal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology2671-46392671-46632025-06-01402596710.12750/JARB.40.2.59Reproductive health and development in spaceflight environmentsByeonggyu Ahn0https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1860-4369Jina Ha1https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0628-5363Dawon Kang2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7402-7298Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Institute of Medical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, KoreaDepartment of Physiology, College of Medicine and Institute of Medical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, KoreaDepartment of Physiology, College of Medicine and Institute of Medical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, KoreaAs space missions extend in duration, the impact of spaceflight on human reproduction poses serious biomedical challenges. The reproductive system is susceptible to microgravity, ionizing radiation, and circadian disruption. This review summarizes current evidence on how space environments affect reproductive function, focusing on gametogenesis, hormonal regulation, pregnancy, and embryonic development. We reviewed data from rodent models, parabolic flight experiments, and space-exposed cellular systems to assess the effect of space-relevant stressors on reproductive health. Findings show that microgravity impairs sperm motility and hormonal balance, while radiation increases DNA fragmentation and induces heritable epigenetic changes. Female reproductive health is similarly affected, with radiation accelerating follicular loss and hormonal disruption impairing ovulation. Early pregnancy stages, including implantation and placental development, are especially vulnerable to space conditions. Rodent studies indicate that while basic fertility may persist, the long-term effect on offspring health and multi-generational outcomes remains unclear. These findings highlight the need for targeted countermeasures and continued research to ensure reproductive success in future space missions.https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2725&vmd=Fullmicrogravityradiationreproductionspace |
| spellingShingle | Byeonggyu Ahn Jina Ha Dawon Kang Reproductive health and development in spaceflight environments Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology microgravity radiation reproduction space |
| title | Reproductive health and development in spaceflight environments |
| title_full | Reproductive health and development in spaceflight environments |
| title_fullStr | Reproductive health and development in spaceflight environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reproductive health and development in spaceflight environments |
| title_short | Reproductive health and development in spaceflight environments |
| title_sort | reproductive health and development in spaceflight environments |
| topic | microgravity radiation reproduction space |
| url | https://www.e-jarb.org/journal/view.html?uid=2725&vmd=Full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT byeonggyuahn reproductivehealthanddevelopmentinspaceflightenvironments AT jinaha reproductivehealthanddevelopmentinspaceflightenvironments AT dawonkang reproductivehealthanddevelopmentinspaceflightenvironments |