(Reuters) – As humankind moves toward the goal of establishing a long-term presence on the moon and Mars, the question of whether reproduction is possible in extraterrestrial environments may no longer be merely hypothetical. And new research using simulated microgravity conditions has identified some major challenges.

Experiments conducted by scientists in Australia found that microgravity conditions, simulated in a laboratory, disrupt sperm navigation, reduce fertilization rates and, when exposure is prolonged, compromise the quality and survival of early embryos. (Read More)