Volume 28, Issue 3 (Iran South Med J 2025)
Iran South Med J 2025, 28(3): 644-653 |
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Salavatifar M, Joorabli A, Hayati Roodbari N. Simulated Weightlessness Effect on Ovarian Follicular Structure and Estradiol Levels in Rats. Iran South Med J 2025; 28 (3) :644-653
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2339-en.html
URL: http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2339-en.html
1- Aerospace Physiology Department, Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran , salavati@ari.ac.ir
2- Biology Department, School of Converging Sciences and Technologies, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad Uni-versity, Tehran, Iran
2- Biology Department, School of Converging Sciences and Technologies, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad Uni-versity, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (229 Views)
Background: Long-term human habitation in space, enabled by advances in space travel, may impair the function of various physiological systems. Given the critical need to maintain astronauts’ health during and after missions, this study investigated the effects of simulated weightlessness using a hindlimb unloading model in female rats, focusing on reproductive system function.
Materials and Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a control group under normal gravity and a simulated weightlessness group subjected to hindlimb unloading for four weeks. Post-intervention, blood estradiol levels, ovarian size, and follicular status (primordial, secondary, Graafian, antral, and corpus luteum follicles) were assessed.
Results: The weightlessness group exhibited a significant increase in estradiol levels, accompanied by a reduction in ovarian size and a decrease in the number of secondary and Graafian follicles. However, the numbers of primordial and antral follicles, as well as the corpus luteum, did not show significant changes.
Conclusion: The results indicated that simulated weightlessness negatively impacts ovarian function and follicular structure. This may affect the fertility of female astronauts. These findings underscore the importance of rigorous monitoring of reproductive health during space missions and the development of preventive strategies to mitigate the physiological disruptions associated with weightlessness.
Materials and Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a control group under normal gravity and a simulated weightlessness group subjected to hindlimb unloading for four weeks. Post-intervention, blood estradiol levels, ovarian size, and follicular status (primordial, secondary, Graafian, antral, and corpus luteum follicles) were assessed.
Results: The weightlessness group exhibited a significant increase in estradiol levels, accompanied by a reduction in ovarian size and a decrease in the number of secondary and Graafian follicles. However, the numbers of primordial and antral follicles, as well as the corpus luteum, did not show significant changes.
Conclusion: The results indicated that simulated weightlessness negatively impacts ovarian function and follicular structure. This may affect the fertility of female astronauts. These findings underscore the importance of rigorous monitoring of reproductive health during space missions and the development of preventive strategies to mitigate the physiological disruptions associated with weightlessness.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Physiology
Received: 2025/04/20 | Accepted: 2025/08/10 | Published: 2025/12/27
Received: 2025/04/20 | Accepted: 2025/08/10 | Published: 2025/12/27
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