Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025

In Vitro Growth of Mouse Preantral Follicles Under Simulated Microgravity
Published on: December 17, 2017
Weightlessness leads to an increase granulosa cells in the growing follicle
Anna Yu Kikina1, Mariia S Matrosova2,3, Elena Yu Gorbacheva4,5
1Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Center, 141160, Star City, Moscow Region, Russia.
Abstract:
The participation of women in space programs of increasing flight duration requires research of their reproductive system from the perspective of subsequent childbearing and healthy aging. For the first time, we present hormonal and structural data on the dynamics of recovery after a 157-day space flight in a woman of reproductive age. There were no clinically significant changes in the reproductive system, but detailed analysis shows that weightlessness leads to an increase in the proportion of early antral follicles and granulosa cells in large antral follicles. Returning to Earth's gravity reduces the number and diameter of early antral follicles.
Related Concept Videos
Folliculogenesis
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is...
Ovarian Cycle
Classification of Leukocytes
Neutrophils are the most abundant type of granular leukocytes, comprising 50-70% of all leukocytes. They feature small, evenly distributed granules and a...

