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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
In Vitro Growth of Mouse Preantral Follicles Under Simulated Microgravity
Published on: December 17, 2017
A major effect of simulated microgravity on several stages of preimplantation mouse development is lethality
Yingchun Wang1, Yufen Xie, Dana Wygle
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, C. S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Abstract:
We tested whether microgravity affects mouse development during a period when gravity cues chick and frog embryo development. A rotating vessel developed approximately 0.1% simulated microgravity (MGS) for embryos. Microgravity simulation resulted in blocked cell accumulation in E2.5 embryos. E1.5 and E3.5 embryos showed lesser effects. For E1.5/2.5 embryos, cell accumulation block was followed by lethality at 48 hours after MGS. For E3.5 embryos, MGS blocked development without lethality but with apoptosis. E1.5-3.5 embryos from the rotational control developed lesser effects than MGS embryos. Embryonic stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) was phosphorylated during MGS and mediated apoptosis. Increased pSAPK suggested that lethality is due to cellular stress induced by MGS, unlike the dysfunctional development after gravitational disorientation in frog and chick embryos. Thus, MGS causes lethality, a novel phenotype not often observed in microgravity or MGS. Embryonic lethality at E2.5 and apoptosis at E3.5 are associated with SAPK function, suggesting that MGS causes a general stress response that immediately affects many aspects of development. In addition, MGS and many aspects of In vitro fertilization/assisted reproductive technologies (IVF/ART) produce nonphysiological, nonevolutionary stresses that are mediated by SAPK, suggesting the primacy of this protein kinase in a wide range of mechanisms mediating negative reproductive outcomes in IVF/ART and potentially in spaceflight.
Insights
Simulated microgravity (MGS) caused embryonic lethality and apoptosis in mouse embryos, linked to stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) activation. This novel finding suggests MGS induces cellular stress impacting early development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Space Biology
- Cellular Stress Response
Background:
- Gravity cues are crucial for early vertebrate embryonic development.
- The effects of microgravity on mammalian embryonic development, particularly during early stages, require further investigation.
- Simulated microgravity (MGS) models spaceflight conditions to study cellular and developmental responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of simulated microgravity (MGS) on mouse embryonic development.
- To determine the cellular mechanisms underlying developmental abnormalities induced by MGS.
- To explore the role of stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) in MGS-induced effects.
Main Methods:
- Mouse embryos at different developmental stages (E1.5, E2.5, E3.5) were exposed to approximately 0.1% simulated microgravity using a rotating vessel.
- Developmental progression, cell accumulation, lethality, and apoptosis were assessed.
- Phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) was analyzed to understand cellular stress responses.
Main Results:
- MGS significantly blocked cell accumulation in E2.5 embryos, leading to lethality within 48 hours.
- E3.5 embryos exposed to MGS showed developmental arrest without lethality but exhibited apoptosis.
- Increased pSAPK levels indicated cellular stress mediated by SAPK, suggesting a link between MGS, SAPK activation, and adverse developmental outcomes.
- Control embryos experienced lesser effects compared to MGS-exposed embryos.
Conclusions:
- Simulated microgravity induces embryonic lethality and apoptosis in mouse embryos, a novel phenotype.
- SAPK activation plays a critical role in mediating MGS-induced cellular stress and developmental abnormalities.
- These findings highlight the potential risks of microgravity and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) on reproductive outcomes, mediated by SAPK.
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