Abstract
Astronauts are always faced with serious health problems during prolonged spaceflights. Previous studies have shown that weightlessness significantly affects the physiological function of female astronauts, including a change in reproductive hormones and ovarian cells, such as granulosa and theca cells. However, the effects of microgravity on these cells have not been well characterized, especially in granulosa cells. This study aimed to investigate the effects of simulated microgravity (SMG) on the proliferation and morphology of porcine granulosa cells (pGCs). pGC proliferation from the SMG group was inhibited, demonstrated by the reduced O.D. value and cell density in the WST-1 assay and cell number counting. SMG-induced pGCs exhibited an increased ratio of cells in the G0/G1 phase and a decreased ratio of cells in the S and G2/M phase. Western blot analysis indicated a down-regulation of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4), and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (cdk6), leading to the prevention of the G1-S transition and inducing the arrest phase. pGCs under the SMG condition showed an increase in nuclear area. This caused a reduction in nuclear shape value in pGCs under the SMG condition. SMG-induced pGCs exhibited different morphologies, including fibroblast-like shape, rhomboid shape, and pebble-like shape. These results revealed that SMG inhibited proliferation and induced morphological changes in pGCs.
Highlights
Gravity plays an important role in the evolution and development of life on Earth [1].To date, more than 559 humans have traveled to space since 1961 [2]
The absorbance value of the porcine granulosa cells (pGCs) from the simulated microgravity (SMG) group was 0.45 ± 0.03, which was lower than cells in the control group (0.49 ± 0.03, p < 0.05) (Figure 1A and Table S1)
The proliferation of pGCs was estimated by the determination of the cell number/well
Summary
Gravity plays an important role in the evolution and development of life on Earth [1].To date, more than 559 humans have traveled to space since 1961 [2]. Other studies have investigated the changes of female reproduction under. Space flight significantly decreases the pituitary content of LH in pregnant rats [6]. Space flight induces ovulation changes and a decrease in uterine estrogen receptor expression in mice [8]. The effects of microgravity on female reproduction have been linked to increased oxidative stress which induces changes in the cell proliferation and morphology of ovarian cells [9,10,11]. Granulosa cells play an important role in female reproduction. The proliferation of granulosa cells is stimulated by FSH. Estrogens stimulate granulosa cell proliferation [12]. Granulosa cells produce estrogen during the follicular phase and progesterone after ovulation [13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
