‘Space pups’ born from freeze-dried mouse sperm stored on space station

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Freeze-dried mouse sperm that spent months at the International Space Station (ISS) returned to Earth and successfully fertilized mouse ovary eggs to produce twitchy-nosed “space pups” — for science. 

The Japanese researchers behind the new work, which they published today (June 11) in a new paper, wanted to know how space radiation affects fertility in mammals. Radiation can damage the DNA within cells, causing mutations (this is why dermatologists recommend using sunscreen). Environments on Earth with heavy radiation exposure can cause defects in the offspring of animals.

Space radiation in particular has been a major concern for countries like the U.S. and Japan that have sent many astronauts on lengthy missions into low Earth orbit. Farther space destinations are also on the horizon. NASA and other space agencies are developing systems that could support humans on monthslong journeys to other solar system destinations such as the moon and Mars, and radiation is a big concern. 

Related: Astronauts going to Mars will absorb crazy amounts of radiation

This is where the small, squeaky animals enter the story. 

Previous studies have been unable to mimic space-radiation conditions on Earth, so this team sent their experiment to space. Researchers freeze-dried mouse sperm samples from 12 mice and sealed them within small lightweight capsules, according to a press release describing the study. 

The packets were transported to the ISS and stored for different amounts of time. A portion of the samples returned to Earth after nine months in space, another set returned after two years and nine months, and the final set of mice sperm samples came back after five years and 10 months in space. 

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Mouse sperm were freeze-dried and stored in a glass vial, and stored on the International Space Station for up to five years and 10 months. These samples were later returned to Earth, where researchers checked them for DNA damage.

Mouse sperm were freeze-dried and stored in a glass vial, and stored on the International Space Station for up to five years and 10 months. These samples were later returned to Earth, where researchers checked them for DNA damage. (Image credit: Teruhiko Wakayama/University of Yamanashi)
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These mice embryos were fertilized by the freeze-dried mouse sperm that scientists rehydrated with water after they came back from space.

These mice embryos were fertilized by the freeze-dried mouse sperm that scientists rehydrated with water after they came back from space. (Image credit: Teruhiko Wakayama/University of Yamanashi)
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Space sperm were injected into oocytes. This method was called as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

Space sperm were injected into oocytes. This method was called as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). (Image credit: Teruhiko Wakayama/University of Yamanashi)
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Ampoules were returned from ISS to Earth, then, freeze-dried sperm were rehydrated by water. You can use those sperm for in vitro fertilization immediately, no need to wait 3 minutes.

Ampoules were returned from the ISS to Earth, then, freeze-dried sperm were rehydrated by water. (Image credit: Teruhiko Wakayama/University of Yamanashi)

Once back on Earth, the team then determined how much radiation the samples absorbed using RNA sequencing. They found that the ISS trip did not result in DNA damage to the sperm nuclei. 

They chose to rehydrate the sperm with water, then injected them into fresh mouse ovary cells. After transferring them to female mice, the mothers became pregnant and eventually gave birth to baby mice. 

The “space pups” were born healthy and with no defects, according to the team. 

The paper detailing the research was published today (June 11) in the journal Science Advances. 

Follow Doris Elin Urrutia on Twitter @salazar_elin. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.  

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