Reproduction in the space environment: Part I. Animal reproductive studies
Mankind's exploration and colonization of the frontier of space will ultimately depend on men's and women's ability to live, work, and reproduce in the space environment. This paper reviews animal studies, from microorganisms to mammals, done in space or under space-simulated con
Selection note: Curated for a review of animal reproductive studies in spaceflight and altered gravity, exposing how little evidence spans complete mammalian lifecycles.
Evidence boundary: The review is dated and this curation did not independently assess all cited experiments or human translation. It is high-consequence evidence-gap context, not reproductive or medical guidance.
Stable record
ntrs-20050000880
Topic
reproduction-genetics
Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Publisher
Johnson Space Center
Authors
Santy, P. A.; Jennings, R. T.; Craigie, D.
Year
1990
Editorial state
metadata curated editorial draft
Reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Official link checked
2026-07-25
Source-supplied abstract
Mankind's exploration and colonization of the frontier of space will ultimately depend on men's and women's ability to live, work, and reproduce in the space environment. This paper reviews animal studies, from microorganisms to mammals, done in space or under space-simulated conditions, which identify some of the key areas which might interfere with human reproductive physiology and/or embryonic development. Those space environmental factors which impacted almost all species included: microgravity, artificial gravity, radiation, and closed life support systems. These factors may act independently and in combination to produce their effects. To date, there have been no studies which have looked at the entire process of reproduction in any animal species. This type of investigation will be critical in understanding and preventing the problems which will affect human reproduction. Part II will discuss these problems directly as they relate to human physiology.
Abstract text has not been adopted as a GShips conclusion.
What would change this record?
A newer or corrected version, a retraction, a verified duplicate, a material topic mismatch, a changed access state, or claim-level review would trigger a dated editorial update.
The review is dated and this curation did not independently assess all cited experiments or human translation. It is high-consequence evidence-gap context, not reproductive or medical guidance.
Source-supplied titles, abstracts, authors, and dates may require correction against the canonical full text.
What would change this page?
A newer or corrected version, retraction, verified duplicate, material topic mismatch, changed access state, or claim-level assessment would change this record.
People, review, and conflicts
Prepared by
GShips Project
Editorial status
metadata-curated-editorial-draft
Editorial reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Last editorial review
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Independent review
pending
Independent reviewer
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Last independent review
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Last content edit
Not recorded separately
Official source or link verified
2026-07-25
Declared conflicts
The maintainer intends to explore a commercial venture based on some GShips work. No entity, outside funding, customer, sponsor, or indexed-organization relationship currently exists.