Sperm get lost in space, Australian research into microgravity impacts suggests

"Sperm exposed to microgravity struggled to find their way through a maze, leading to a 40% reduction in their ability to navigate effectively. The clinostat causes cells to not really understand or know which direction they're going in, resulting in them tumbling around like an untethered astronaut."

"With the recent advancements in space travel and international interest in deep space exploration, it is critical to investigate the effect of microgravity on early fertilisation events for creating viable food sources and maintaining human space settlements."

Research indicates that sperm exposed to microgravity become disoriented, making it difficult for them to navigate towards an egg. Experiments using a clinostat to simulate microgravity showed that sperm from humans, mice, and pigs tumbled and flipped, leading to a 40% reduction in their ability to find their way through a maze designed to mimic the female reproductive tract. This research is crucial for understanding reproduction in extraterrestrial environments, which is essential for future human settlements on Mars and the Moon.

Read at www.theguardian.com