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Sekulic S, Jovanovic A, Zivanovic Z, Simic S, Kesic S, Petkovic B, Capo I, van Loon JJ. Which precocial rodent species is more suitable as the experimental model of microgravity influence on prenatal musculosketal development on international space station? LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2022; 33:48-57. [PMID: 35491029 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The International Space Station (ISS) has the possibility to perform experiments regarding rodent reproduction in microgravity. The musculoskeletal system at birth in precocial rodent species more resembles the human than that of altricial rodent species. For precocial rodent species with body weight ≤ 500 g (limit of ISS) determined were: adult body mass, newborn body mass, head-body length, tail length, existing variants (wild, domesticated, laboratory), single/group housing, dry food consumption/24 h, water intake/24 h, basal metabolic rate mlO2/g/h, environmental temperature, sand baths, urine output ml/24 h, fecal output g/24 h, size of fecal droplet, hair length, life span, length of oestrus cycle, duration of pregnancy, building nest, litter size, stage of musculoskeletal maturity at birth, and the duration of weaning. Characteristics were obtained by searching SCOPUS as well as the World Wide Web with key words for each of the species in English, Latin and, local language name. These characteristics were compared in order to find most appropriate species. Twelve precocial rodent species were identified. There is not enough data for Common yellow-toothed cavy, and Eastern spiny mouse. Inappropriate species were: Gundis, Dassie rat are a more demanding species for appropriate tending, litter size is small; Octodon degus requires sand baths as well as a nest during the first two weeks after delivery; muscle maturity of Spiny mouse at birth (myotubular stage), does not correspond to the human (late histochemical stage); Chinchilla requires separately housing, daily sand baths, has upper limit of weight. Possibility of keeping Southern mountain cavy as pet animal, short estrus, large litter size, absence of the need for nest and sand baths, makes this species the most promising candidates for experiments on ISS. If an experiment is planned with exposing gravid animals before term of the birth, then they might be kept together in the existing Rodent Habitat (USA). If an experiment with birth in microgravity is planned on ISS, the existing habitats do not provide conditions for such an experiment. It is necessary to develop habitats for separate keeping of pregnant animals to enable the following: 1. undisturbed delivery 2. prevent the possibility of hurting the newborns 3. ensure adequate post-partum maternal care and nursing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slobodan Sekulic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Aleksandar Jovanovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Zeljko Zivanovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Svetlana Simic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia; Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Srdjan Kesic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branka Petkovic
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Capo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University in Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jack Jwa van Loon
- Department Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery/Pathology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences & Amsterdam Bone Center (ABC), Amsterdam University Medical Center location VUmc & Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands; TEC-MMG-LISLab, European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Center (ESTEC), Noordwijk, The Netherlands
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Boada M, Perez-Poch A, Ballester M, García-Monclús S, González DV, García S, Barri PN, Veiga A. Microgravity effects on frozen human sperm samples. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2249-2257. [PMID: 32683528 PMCID: PMC7492354 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01877-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Microgravity has severe effects on cellular and molecular structures as well as on metabolic interactions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of microgravity (μg) exposure on human frozen sperm samples. METHODS Sibling samples from 15 normozoospermic healthy donors were frozen using glycerol as cryoprotectant and analyzed under microgravity and ground conditions. Microgravity was obtained by parabolic flights using a CAP10B plane. The plane executed 20 parabolic maneuvers with a mean of 8.5 s of microgravity for each parabola. RESULTS Frozen sperm samples preserved in cryostraws and stored in a secure and specific nitrogen vapor cryoshipper do not suffer significant alterations after μg exposure. Comparing the study group (μg) and the control group (1 g), similar results were obtained in the main parameters studied: sperm motility (M/ml) 13.72 ± 12.57 vs 13.03 ± 12.13 (- 0.69 95% CI [- 2.9; 1.52]), progressive a + b sperm motility (%) 21.83 ± 11.69 vs 22.54 ± 12.83 (0.03 95% CI [- 0.08; 0.15]), sperm vitality (%) 46.42 ± 10.81 vs 44.62 ± 9.34 (- 0.04 95% CI [- 0.13; 0.05]), morphologically normal spermatozoa (%) 7.03 ± 2.61 vs 8.09 ± 3.61 (0.12 95% CI [0.01; 0.24]), DNA sperm fragmentation by SCD (%) 13.33 ± 5.12 vs 13.88 ± 6.14 (0.03 95% CI [- 0.09; 0.16]), and apoptotic spermatozoa by MACS (%) 15.47 ± 15.04 vs 23.80 ± 23.63 (- 0.20 95% CI [- 0.66; 1.05]). CONCLUSION The lack of differences obtained between frozen samples exposed to μg and those maintained in ground conditions provides the possibility of considering the safe transport of human male gametes to space. Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate the results and to consider the possibility of creating a human sperm bank outside the Earth. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03760783.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Boada
- Women's Health Dexeus, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Avinguda Carles III 71-75, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A Perez-Poch
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, UPC BarcelonaTech, EEBE Campus Diagonal-Besòs, C. E. Maristany 16, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Ballester
- Women's Health Dexeus, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Avinguda Carles III 71-75, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S García-Monclús
- Women's Health Dexeus, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Avinguda Carles III 71-75, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - D V González
- Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell, Sabadell Airport, Carretera de Bellaterra s/n, 08205 Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S García
- Women's Health Dexeus, Unit of Biostatistics, Avinguda Carles III 71-75, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P N Barri
- Women's Health Dexeus, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Avinguda Carles III 71-75, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Veiga
- Women's Health Dexeus, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Hospital Universitari Dexeus, Avinguda Carles III 71-75, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Stem Cell Bank, Centre of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Gran Via de l'Hospitalet 199, 08908 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Smith PF. The Growing Evidence for the Importance of the Otoliths in Spatial Memory. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:66. [PMID: 31680880 PMCID: PMC6813194 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies have demonstrated that vestibular sensory input is important for spatial learning and memory. However, it has been unclear what contributions the different parts of the vestibular system - the semi-circular canals and otoliths - make to these processes. The advent of mutant otolith-deficient mice has made it possible to isolate the relative contributions of the otoliths, the utricle and saccule. A number of studies have now indicated that the loss of otolithic function impairs normal spatial memory and also impairs the normal function of head direction cells in the thalamus and place cells in the hippocampus. Epidemiological studies have also provided evidence that spatial memory impairment with aging, may be linked to saccular function. The otoliths may be important in spatial cognition because of their evolutionary age as a sensory detector of orientation and the fact that velocity storage is important to the way that the brain encodes its place in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul F. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brain Health Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Research New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Le Gall A, Hilber P, Chesneau C, Bulla J, Toulouse J, Machado M, Philoxene B, Smith P, Besnard S. The critical role of vestibular graviception during cognitive-motor development. Behav Brain Res 2019; 372:112040. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Saldanha JN, Pandey S, Powell-Coffman JA. The effects of short-term hypergravity on Caenorhabditis elegans. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2016; 10:38-46. [PMID: 27662786 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Casey T, Patel OV, Plaut K. Transcriptomes reveal alterations in gravity impact circadian clocks and activate mechanotransduction pathways with adaptation through epigenetic change. Physiol Genomics 2015; 47:113-28. [PMID: 25649141 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00117.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the impact of alterations in gravity on mammalian transcriptomes. Here, we describe the impact of spaceflight on mammary transcriptome of late pregnant rats and the effect of hypergravity exposure on mammary, liver, and adipose transcriptomes in late pregnancy and at the onset of lactation. RNA was isolated from mammary collected on pregnancy day 20 from rats exposed to spaceflight from days 11 to 20 of gestation. To measure the impact of hypergravity on mammary, liver, and adipose transcriptomes we isolated RNA from tissues collected on P20 and lactation day 1 from rats exposed to hypergravity beginning on pregnancy day 9. Gene expression was measured with Affymetrix GeneChips. Microarray analysis of variance revealed alterations in gravity affected the expression of genes that regulate circadian clocks and activate mechanotransduction pathways. Changes in these systems may explain global gene expression changes in immune response, metabolism, and cell proliferation. Expression of genes that modify chromatin structure and methylation was affected, suggesting adaptation to gravity alterations may proceed through epigenetic change. Altered gravity experiments offer insights into the role of forces omnipresent on Earth that shape genomes in heritable ways. Our study is the first to analyze the impact of alterations in gravity on transcriptomes of pregnant and lactating mammals. Findings provide insight into systems that sense gravity and the way in which they affect phenotype, as well as the possibility of sustaining life beyond Earth's orbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Casey
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; and
| | - Osman V Patel
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan
| | - Karen Plaut
- Department of Animal Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; and
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Jamon M. The development of vestibular system and related functions in mammals: impact of gravity. Front Integr Neurosci 2014; 8:11. [PMID: 24570658 PMCID: PMC3916785 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2014.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This chapter reviews the knowledge about the adaptation to Earth gravity during the development of mammals. The impact of early exposure to altered gravity is evaluated at the level of the functions related to the vestibular system, including postural control, homeostatic regulation, and spatial memory. The hypothesis of critical periods in the adaptation to gravity is discussed. Demonstrating a critical period requires removing the gravity stimulus during delimited time windows, what is impossible to do on Earth surface. The surgical destruction of the vestibular apparatus, and the use of mice strains with defective graviceptors have provided useful information on the consequences of missing gravity perception, and the possible compensatory mechanisms, but transitory suppression of the stimulus can only be operated during spatial flight. The rare studies on rat pups housed on board of space shuttle significantly contributed to this problem, but the use of hypergravity environment, produced by means of chronic centrifugation, is the only available tool when repeated experiments must be carried out on Earth. Even though hypergravity is sometimes considered as a mirror situation to microgravity, the two situations cannot be confused because a gravitational force is still present. The theoretical considerations that validate the paradigm of hypergravity to evaluate critical periods are discussed. The question of adaption of graviceptor is questioned from an evolutionary point of view. It is possible that graviception is hardwired, because life on Earth has evolved under the constant pressure of gravity. The rapid acquisition of motor programming by precocial mammals in minutes after birth is consistent with this hypothesis, but the slow development of motor skills in altricial species and the plasticity of vestibular perception in adults suggest that gravity experience is required for the tuning of graviceptors. The possible reasons for this dichotomy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Jamon
- Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U 1106, Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France
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Horn ER, Gabriel M. Gender-related sensitivity of development and growth to real microgravity inXenopus laevis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 321:1-12. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.1831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eberhard R. Horn
- Zoological Institute; Cell and Developmental Biology; Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Martin Gabriel
- Büsgen Institut; Universität Göttingen; Göttingen Germany
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Beck M, Tabury K, Moreels M, Jacquet P, Van Oostveldt P, De Vos WH, Baatout S. Simulated microgravity decreases apoptosis in fetal fibroblasts. Int J Mol Med 2012; 30:309-13. [PMID: 22614095 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2012.1001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Space travel is a major challenge for human beings. Especially, the mechanisms through which space conditions might alter animal development have been questioned for a long time. The two major physical stress factors that are of relevance in this context are space radiation and weightlessness. While it has been extensively shown that high doses of ionizing radiation induce deleterious effects on embryonic development, so far, little is known about the potential harmful effects of radiation in combination with microgravity on the developing organism. In the present study, we investigated the effects of simulated microgravity on irradiated STO mouse fetal fibroblast cells using a random positioning machine (RPM). Radiation-induced cell cycle changes were not affected when cells were subjected to simulated microgravity for 24 h. Moreover, no morphological differences were observed in irradiated samples exposed to simulated microgravity compared to cells that were exclusively irradiated. However, microgravity simulation significantly decreased the level of apoptosis at all doses as measured by caspase-3 activity and it prevented cells from undergoing radiation-induced size increase up to 1 Gy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Beck
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK•CEN, Mol, Belgium
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Wu C, Guo X, Wang F, Li X, Tian XC, Li L, Wu Z, Zhang S. Simulated microgravity compromises mouse oocyte maturation by disrupting meiotic spindle organization and inducing cytoplasmic blebbing. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22214. [PMID: 21765954 PMCID: PMC3135614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2010] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we discovered that mouse oocyte maturation was inhibited by simulated microgravity via disturbing spindle organization. We cultured mouse oocytes under microgravity condition simulated by NASA's rotary cell culture system, examined the maturation rate and observed the spindle morphology (organization of cytoskeleton) during the mouse oocytes meiotic maturation. While the rate of germinal vesicle breakdown did not differ between 1 g gravity and simulated microgravity, rate of oocyte maturation decreased significantly in simulated microgravity. The rate of maturation was 8.94% in simulated microgravity and was 73.0% in 1 g gravity. The results show that the maturation of mouse oocytes in vitro was inhibited by the simulated microgravity. The spindle morphology observation shows that the microtubules and chromosomes can not form a complete spindle during oocyte meiotic maturation under simulated microgravity. And the disorder of γ-tubulin may partially result in disorganization of microtubules under simulated microgravity. These observations suggest that the meiotic spindle organization is gravity dependent. Although the spindle organization was disrupted by simulated microgravity, the function and organization of microfilaments were not pronouncedly affected by simulated microgravity. And we found that simulated microgravity induced oocytes cytoplasmic blebbing via an unknown mechanism. Transmission electron microscope detection showed that the components of the blebs were identified with the cytoplasm. Collectively, these results indicated that the simulated microgravity inhibits mouse oocyte maturation via disturbing spindle organization and inducing cytoplasmic blebbing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changli Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinzheng Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoshuang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - X. Cindy Tian
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Regenerative Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Li Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shouquan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Wakayama S, Kawahara Y, Li C, Yamagata K, Yuge L, Wakayama T. Detrimental effects of microgravity on mouse preimplantation development in vitro. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6753. [PMID: 19707597 PMCID: PMC2727478 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2009] [Accepted: 07/22/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustaining life beyond Earth either on space stations or on other planets will require a clear understanding of how the space environment affects key phases of mammalian reproduction. However, because of the difficulty of doing such experiments in mammals, most studies of reproduction in space have been carried out with other taxa, such as sea urchins, fish, amphibians or birds. Here, we studied the possibility of mammalian fertilization and preimplantation development under microgravity (microG) conditions using a three-dimensional (3D) clinostat, which faithfully simulates 10(-3) G using 3D rotation. Fertilization occurred normally in vitro under microG. However, although we obtained 75 healthy offspring from microG-fertilized and -cultured embryos after transfer to recipient females, the birth rate was lower than among the 1G controls. Immunostaining demonstrated that in vitro culture under microG caused slower development and fewer trophectoderm cells than in 1G controls but did not affect polarization of the blastocyst. These results suggest for the first time that fertilization can occur normally under microG environment in a mammal, but normal preimplantation embryo development might require 1G.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Wakayama
- Laboratory for Genomic Reprogramming, RIKEN, Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yumi Kawahara
- Division of Bio-Environment Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, and Space Bio-Laboratories, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Chong Li
- Laboratory for Genomic Reprogramming, RIKEN, Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Japan
| | - Kazuo Yamagata
- Laboratory for Genomic Reprogramming, RIKEN, Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, Japan
| | - Louis Yuge
- Division of Bio-Environment Adaptation Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, and Space Bio-Laboratories, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Laboratory for Genomic Reprogramming, RIKEN, Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Sekulić SR, Lukac DD, Naumović NM. The fetus cannot exercise like an astronaut: gravity loading is necessary for the physiological development during second half of pregnancy. Med Hypotheses 2005; 64:221-8. [PMID: 15607544 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2004.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2004] [Accepted: 08/17/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
On the basis of published Magnetic Resonance Images and the values of the specific fetal and amniotic fluid weights, apparent weight of the fetus from the 18th week of gestation until term was determined. Up to the 21-22nd gestation week the fetus is in conditions similar to neutral floating, while after the 26th gestation week the apparent weight of the fetus is 60-80% of the actual weight. Decreased effect of the buoyant forces that affect the fetus in human species during the last trimester has a number of implications for the colonization of the solar system. During space flight it is impossible to apply the existing countermeasures against microgravity deconditioning of the muscular and cardiovascular systems to the fetus. Absence of gravitational loading during the last trimester of gestation would cause hypotrophy of the spinal extensors and lower extremities muscles, reduction in the amount of myosin heavy chain type I in the extensor muscles of the trunk and legs, hypoplasy and osteopeny of the vertebras and lower extremities long bones, and hypotrophy of the left ventricle of the heart muscle. Because of decreased capacity of postural and locomotor stability, acquisition of the gross developmental milestones such as sitting, standing and walking could be delayed. In the authors' opinion, only artificial gravity (rotating platform) during space flight will allow physiological development of the human fetus. Independency of offspring's of the guinea pig as regards locomotion and nursing increases probability of successful breeding in microgravity compared with rat offspring's, and make this species a candidate for future experiments under conditions of microgravity and hypergravity. Examining the gestation of this species in different gravities requires first the experimental determination of the amount of buoyant force to which the fetus is exposed in physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slobodan R Sekulić
- Institute of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology and Epilepsy, Clinical Center, Hajduk Veljkova 1-7, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia and Monte Negro.
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Wade CE. Responses across the Gravity Continuum: Hypergravity to Microgravity. EXPERIMENTATION WITH ANIMAL MODELS IN SPACE 2005; 10:225-45. [PMID: 16101110 DOI: 10.1016/s1569-2574(05)10009-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In response to hypergravity, it appears that the larger the animal, the greater the response, if present. Therefore, the response of a rat exceeds that of a mouse in the same hypergravity environment. When investigated in the microgravity environment of space flight, this appears to hold true. The lack of definitive data obtained in space for either species makes the extrapolation of the continuum to levels below Earth-gravity problematic. However, in systems where responses are detected for both space flight and acceleration by centrifugation, a gravitational continuum is present supporting the "principle of continuity". For those and similar systems, it appears that the use of hypergravity could be used to predict responses to space flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Wade
- Life Sciences Division, NASA - Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
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Ronca AE. Studies toward birth and early mammalian development in space. ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 2003; 32:1483-1490. [PMID: 15000095 DOI: 10.1016/s0273-1177(03)90385-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Sustaining life beyond Earth on either space stations or other planets will require a clear understanding of how the space environment affects key phases of mammalian reproduction and development. Pregnancy, parturition (birth) and the early development of offspring are complex processes essential for successful reproduction and the proliferation of mammalian species. While no mammal has yet undergone birth within the space environment, studies spanning the gravity continuum from 0- to 2-g are revealing startling insights into how reproduction and development may proceed under gravitational conditions deviating from those typically experienced on Earth. In this report, I review studies of pregnant Norway rats and their offspring flown in microgravity onboard the NASA Space Shuttle throughout the period corresponding to mid- to late gestation, and analogous studies of pregnant rats exposed to hypergravity (hg) onboard the NASA Ames Research Center 24-ft centrifuge. Studies of postnatal rats flown in space or exposed to centrifugation are reviewed. Although many important questions remain unanswered, the available data suggest that numerous aspects of pregnancy, birth and early mammalian development can proceed under altered gravity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- April E Ronca
- Life Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
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