This could have big implications for human reproduction in spaceflight.

“Exposure to short duration gravity load changes including microgravity, as sustained in a parabolic flight statistically significantly decreases the sperm motility and vitality of human fresh sperm samples,” the team found, adding that this may have huge importance for any prolonged human settlement missions in space.

“In the future, should humans remain in space for long periods of time with exposure to different microgravity and hypergravity peaks, which could range from months to a number of years, reproduction may pose a problem to be tackled.”

The mechanism by which sperm motility was decreased remains unknown, with further study needed.

  • rumba@lemmy.zipEnglish
    22·
    1 hour ago

    A few seconds of microgravity? Something sounds off, that would probably be enough to be seen in parachutists and fighter pilots. I think I’m going to wait for the peer review on this one…

  • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
    6·
    50 minutes ago

    comparing an existing sample exposed to small doses of micro-gravity seems incredibly… useless… compared to sperm generated in space. how can they even begin to use it to make generalizations on ‘long term human space colonization’?

  • j4k3@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    2 hours ago

    Literally (fiction) speaking, I’ve randomly gambled on ~10 generations max before the population crashes if a generation ship arrives and fails to complete an O’Neill cylinder on the other side.

    Sound legit? 4am, going to bed, so no read.

    • Squizzy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      8 minutes ago

      Most of us aren’t suffering and spending time with my kids is amazing and I enioy it.

    • Arondeus@lemmy.caEnglish
      61·
      52 minutes ago

      They are literally only talking about creating humans NOT on this world…