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posted by Fnord666 on Friday September 27 2019, @05:21PM   Printer-friendly
from the tax-dollars-at-work dept.

Male mice that spent more than a month in space were able to successfully reproduce back on Earth, a study has found, the first evidence of how space travel affects reproduction in mammals.

There have been some signs that spending time in radiation damage seen in freeze-dried mouse sperm that spent nine months in outer space, and decreased sperm counts in rats that spent 13 days in orbit.

The research examined 12 male mice who spent 35 days aboard the International Space Station in specially designed cages.

Some of the mice experienced the weightlessness of microgravity, while others were in cages designed to offer artificial gravity.

Upon their return to Earth, the researchers used sperm from the mice to fertilise eggs from female mice who had not experienced space travel, and found the astronaut rodents produced healthy offspring.

The team, led by Masahito Ikawa, a professor at Osaka University, also examined the reproductive organs of the space-travelling mice, and checked their offspring for any signs that their parentage had negative effects.

"We conclude that short-term stays in outer space do not cause overt defects in the physiological function of male reproductive organs, sperm function, and offspring viability," says the study published Tuesday in the journal Scientific Reports.


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  • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Friday September 27 2019, @06:03PM (2 children)

    by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Friday September 27 2019, @06:03PM (#899659) Journal

    Back in the day, REAL mice had BALLS!!!

    Not like today.

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  • (Score: 3, Funny) by DannyB on Friday September 27 2019, @06:09PM

    by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Friday September 27 2019, @06:09PM (#899663) Journal

    Sweet IBM Mouse Balls Replacement [neystadt.org]

    IBM Mouse Balls...

    "Memo of the Month," From The Washington Monthly, January/February 1991, page 24:

    This is an actual alert to IBM Field Engineers that went out to all IBM Branch Offices. The person who wrote it was very serious. The rest of us find it rather funny.

    Abstract: Mouse Balls Available as FRU (Field Replacement Unit)

    Mouse balls are now available as FRU. Therefore, if a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel.

    Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ depending upon manufacturer of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the pop-off method. Domestic balls are replaced using the twist-off method. Mouse balls are not usually static sensitive. However, excessive handling can result in sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately.

    It is recommended that each replacer have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum customer satisfaction, and that any customer missing his balls should suspect local personnel of removing these necessary items.

    To re-order, specify one of the following:

    P/N 33F8462 - Domestic Mouse Balls
    P/N 33F8461 - Foreign Mouse Balls

    Last modified 22:30PM 07/23/95

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    People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
  • (Score: 3, Informative) by Gaaark on Saturday September 28 2019, @02:48AM

    by Gaaark (41) on Saturday September 28 2019, @02:48AM (#899785) Journal
    --
    --- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---