Advances of Mammalian Reproduction and Embryonic Development Under Microgravity

Abstract

The development of life beyond the earth is a dream of human being. Human long duration orbital spaceflight, exploration of Mars and other new space frontiers, colonization of the Moon will require understanding of fundamental of embryogenesis and reproductive function in space environment. It is therefore important to study the effect of microgravity environment on the reproductive system of mammals and to determine whether embryos can develop normally in without gravitational cue. It is important to look at the entire process of fertilization, the cleavage of pre-implantation embryos and blastocyst lineage formation under microgravity in space. It is important to investigate the potential mechanisms and at which point the effected stages regulate back to producing normal embryos. This chapter reviews both others and our lab’s research progress about the reproductive science and the mammalian early developmental outcomes under simulated microgravity on earth and real microgravity in space. In addition, we describe the latest experimental results of development of mouse pre-implantation embryos from China’s SJ-10 recoverable microgravity experimental satellite (SJ-10 satellite). Finally, this chapter conclude with perspectives of necessary space research in the area of embryonic development and mammalian reproduction in the future.