Scientists at Yamanashi University in Japan were able to grow mice in the laboratory using sperm that had been stored frozen on board the ISS for about a year. Japanese scientists published their research in the journal PNAS.
Biologists explained that the high level of radiation in space today is one of the main threats to human life. Also, radiation poses a great threat to human germ cells, which, before becoming ready for fertilization, go through several stages of division.
“If humanity begins to live in space, then we will need technologies to freeze sperm and store it for a long time. The problem is that the radiation level on the ISS is 100 times higher than on Earth, "said Sayaka Wakayama." We have shown that although radiation damages the DNA of sperm, it does not affect the viability and fertility of offspring."
Previously, scientists have already investigated the possibility of reproduction of fish, insects, sea urchins and other animals on the ISS, but such experiments on mammals have not been carried out.
This time, Japanese experts used frozen genetic material for the experiment. They fertilized eggs for them, which were then implanted in the womb of surrogate mothers to see how viable the offspring would be.
The researchers also conducted a comparative analysis of the DNA structure of rodents born on Earth and in space. He showed that a long stay in space should not interfere with procreation. In addition, stocks of genetic materials can be created on Earth and then simply sent into space.