The Effects of Microgravity on Human Sperm

Institut Universitari Dexeus

Status: Completed

Conditions: Semen Quality

Treatments: Other: Parabolic flight

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03760783

FSD-ATM-2018-03

Details and patient eligibility

About

It has been described that microgravity affects cellular and molecular structures. Cell membrane, cytoskeleton, cytoplasm and nucleus have been found to be sensible to gravitational changes. Alterations in the male and female reproductive systems have also been reported in mouse and other animals. The effects of microgravity on human reproductive cells remain unknown.

The main objective of this experimental study is to investigate the effect of simulated microgravity in human male reproductive cells under in vitro conditions. Induced microgravity conditions will be obtained with a smaller single-engine aerobatic aircraft that can provide parabolic flights.

The main parameters to be analyzed are: sperm motility, vitality, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy volunteers (men)
• Who accepted to take part in the study
• Who gave their written informed consent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 1 patient group

Effect of microgravity on human sperm

Other group

Description:

Simulated microgravity flight

Treatment:

Other: Parabolic flight