As the space industry continues to grow and aspirations for space travel expand, it is essential to address knowledge gaps in female reproductive health to ensure the safety and well-being of future travelers. While some studies have been conducted on the effects of spaceflight on reproductive function in animals, there is limited data on human reproductive health.
A new review investigated the impact of space-related risk factors such as radiation, altered gravitational forces, and circadian rhythm changes on various aspects of female reproductive health, including ovarian function, menstrual cycle, fertilization, and pregnancy.
Under simulated microgravity, the arrangement of granulosa cells within follicles was disrupted, with more than 50% of cells losing their polarity, researchers found. In a porcine model, simulated microgravity inhibited the proliferation of granulosa cells and arrested the cell cycle. These changes could hinder cellular communication, thereby impacting folliculogenesis.
The review published in npj Women's Health highlighted the importance of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, which posited that environmental factors during early development could have long-lasting effects on an individual's health. It is important to establish ground-based tools and methods for replicating microgravity conditions to further advance the understanding of the effects of spaceflight on female reproductive health, noted researchers.
They declared no competing interests.