The fetus cannot exercise like an astronaut: gravity loading is necessary for the physiological development during second half of pregnancy

Sekulić, Slobodan; Lukac, Damir; Naumovic, Nada

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2004.08.012

Cited by 44 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Therefore, embryonic development takes place in a condition of neutral buoyancy, i.e., the buoyant force just matches and opposes gravity, due to the similar densities of the embryo and the AF he is immersed in (Sekulic et al, 2005). This condition of neutral buoyancy is likely to progressively vanish after the 20th week when the AF volume decreases and the increase in the size of the fetus reduce its buoyancy (Sekulic et al, 2005).…”

Section: Gravity Buoyancy and Early Embryonic Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microgravity, Stem Cells, and Embryonic Development: Challenges and Opportunities for 3D Tissue Generation

Andreazzoli

Angeloni

Broccoli

et al. 2017

Front. Astron. Space Sci.

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Space is a challenging environment for the human body, due to the combined effects of reduced gravity (microgravity) and cosmic radiation. Known effects of microgravity range from the blood redistribution that affects the cardiovascular system and the eye to muscle wasting, bone loss, anemia, and immune depression. About cosmic radiation, the shielding provided by the spaceship hull is far less efficient than that afforded at ground level by the combined effects of the Earth atmosphere and magnetic field. The eye and its nervous layer (the retina) are affected by both microgravity and heavy ions exposure. Considering the importance of sight for long-term manned flights, visual research aimed at devising measures to protect the eye from environmental conditions of the outer space represents a special challenge to meet. In this review we focus on the impact of microgravity on embryonic development, discussing the roles of mechanical forces in the context of the neutral buoyancy the embryo experiences in the womb. At variance with its adverse effects on the adult human body, simulated microgravity may provide a unique tool for understanding the biomechanical events involved in the development and assembly in vitro of three-dimensional (3D) ocular tissues. Prospective benefits are the development of novel safety measures to protect the human eye from cosmic radiation in microgravity during long-term manned spaceflights in the outer space, as well as the generation of human 3D-retinas with its supporting structures to develop innovative and effective therapeutic options for degenerative eye diseases.

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Section: Gravity Buoyancy and Early Embryonic Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microgravity, Stem Cells, and Embryonic Development: Challenges and Opportunities for 3D Tissue Generation

Andreazzoli

Angeloni

Broccoli

et al. 2017

Front. Astron. Space Sci.

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show abstract

“…24 It was clearly visible that until 21st week of gestation the fetus is in a condition similar to neutral buoyancy with apparent weight around 5%. 25 After the 26th week the fetus is, to a significant extent, exposed to mechanical stress that occurs due to gravitational forces and has 60 to 80% apparent weight. 25 The development of antigravity muscular control is critical to normal motor development during the first year of life.…”

Section: Influence Of the Gravity On Prenatal And Postnatal Motor Devmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…25 After the 26th week the fetus is, to a significant extent, exposed to mechanical stress that occurs due to gravitational forces and has 60 to 80% apparent weight. 25 The development of antigravity muscular control is critical to normal motor development during the first year of life. After birth, the newborn is exposed to the 1G environment.…”

Section: Influence Of the Gravity On Prenatal And Postnatal Motor Devmentioning

confidence: 99%

Continuity from Fetal to Neonatal Behavior: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

Stanojević¹,

Kurjak²

2011

Donald School Journal of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Understanding the relation between fetal and infant behavior and developmental processes of the brain in different periods of gestation may make achievable the distinction between normal and abnormal brain development as well as the early diagnosis of various structural or functional abnormalities. As the development of the brain is unique and continuing process throughout the gestation and after birth, it is expected that there is also continuity of fetal and neonatal behavior, which is the best functional indicator of developmental processes of the brain.The aim is to present continuity of the general and other movements from prenatal to postnatal life in fetuses and newborns from lowand high-risk pregnancies.Epidemiological studies revealed that many neurologically impaired infants belong to low-risk population, which means that they seemed to be developmentally normal as fetuses and as infants, while later in childhood neurological disability was diagnosed. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP) is the dominant type of CP found in term-born, appropriate-for-gestational-age children with severe impairments who have frequently experienced adverse perinatal events. As neuroprotective methods of treatment are available for some infants, simple screening methods could be helpful to detect impaired fetuses early enough in order to avoid developmental catastrophe. It has been clear from postnatal assessment of Prechtl's neonatal general movements (GMs) that it is a better predictor of neurodevelopmental disability than neurological examination. Introduction of two-dimensional (2D) and four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound enabled introduction of GMs assessment to the prenatal period. Kurjak et al conducted a study by 4D ultrasound and confirmed earlier findings made by 2D ultrasonography, that there is behavioral pattern continuity from prenatal to postnatal life. New antenatal neurological screening test has been introduced by Kurjak et al (KANET), which was postnatally followed by postnatal neurological screening assessment according to Amiel-Tison (ATNAT). Although many fetal behavioral studies have been conducted in low-and high-risk pregnancies and KANET has been recently standardized, it is still questionable whether the assessment of continuity from fetal to neonatal behavior could improve ability for early detection of brain pathology.

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“…There have been studies of fetal development in rats in microgravity, and utilizing that information we can guess what would happen in a human pregnancy (Sekulic et al, 2005). Microgravity hinders neither the conception nor embryogenesis (the cellular differentiation that leads to an embryo) (Sekulic et al, 2005).…”

Section: Sex and Pregnancy In Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microgravity hinders neither the conception nor embryogenesis (the cellular differentiation that leads to an embryo) (Sekulic et al, 2005). In fact, up until 21 weeks gestational age a human fetus is in an environment similar to microgravity.…”

Section: Sex and Pregnancy In Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical and medical dilemmas of space tourism

Marsh

2006

Advances in Space Research

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The fetus cannot exercise like an astronaut: gravity loading is necessary for the physiological development during second half of pregnancy

Cited by 44 publications

References 47 publications

Microgravity, Stem Cells, and Embryonic Development: Challenges and Opportunities for 3D Tissue Generation

Microgravity, Stem Cells, and Embryonic Development: Challenges and Opportunities for 3D Tissue Generation

Continuity from Fetal to Neonatal Behavior: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

Ethical and medical dilemmas of space tourism

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