A new study shows that spaceflight could messily affect the human body in another way.
Spaceflight Linked to Erectile Dysfunction
Scientists conducted a novel rat study that involved space-environment simulations. It suggests that weightlessness and space radiation exposure that is not protected by the atmosphere of the Earth could greatly affect vascular tissues linked to erectile dysfunction.
Even after a year, the rats were observed to exhibit erectile dysfunction signs. The culprit of these symptoms is most likely the galactic cosmic radiation that streams across outer space.
According to Manuella Andrade, a physiologist from Florida State University who led the team, the findings show that simulated spaceflight could lead to long-term neurovascular erectile function impairments. This now serves as a new health risk that should be considered when it comes to explorations in deep space.
The researchers note that, from what they know, their study is the first to look into how simulated or real spaceflight affects tissues linked to erectile function. As part of the study, 86 adult male rats were involved. These were all divided into six different randomized groups. All groups were exposed to either control or simulated space conditions.
To mirror microgravity, hindlimb unloading was used. This involved the unnatural suspension of the rats. On the other hand, the Space Radiation Laboratory of NASA was also used for treating the rodents at different simulated galactic cosmic radiation doses.
The team then looked into the impacts on the arteries and veins that serve as the blood source in the penis. They were able to observe that both simulated cosmic radiation and microgravity had impacts, though the former yielded graver consequences that lasted for up to 13 months.
As a whole, the study shows that the erectile tissue's neurovascular function could be impaired through the sexual health span of astronauts after they return to the Earth after spending long periods exploring space.
The researchers also observed that effects can be reversed. Urologist and physiologist Justin La Favor from Florida State University explains that though the consequences of galactic cosmic radiation were observed to last a long time, functional improvements were seen by targeting the pathways of nitric oxide and redox in the tissues. This suggests the treatability of erectile dysfunction.
The findings were documented in the study "Neurovascular dysfunction associated with erectile dysfunction persists after long-term recovery from simulations of weightlessness and deep space irradiation."
Spaceflight and Health
While space exploration has been going on for a couple of decades, it is still remarkably short compared to the time humanity has spent in the specific conditions of Earth. In a radiation environment, microgravity, and space, the physiology of humans begins to go awry.
Studies have documented different physiological effects, including fluid redistribution, excess flatulence, higher cancer risk, and density loss of muscle and bone.
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