Frozen sperm bank could be set up in space says say scientists

Sperm banks could one day be set up in space, scientists have predicted.

Frozen samples that were exposed to microgravity conditions and those kept in normal conditions appear to keep similar characteristics, according to the results of a small study, the Press Association has reported.

The results of the research suggest frozen sperm could be sent into space and "open the possibility of creating a human sperm bank outside of Earth".

But more research is needed to fully understand the effect of space conditions, scientists have said.

Scientists say more research needs to be done (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The study was presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual meeting in Vienna, Austria.

The scientists conducting the study said little is known about the effect of different gravity levels on sperm.

Dr Montserrat Boada, from Dexeus Women's Health in Barcelona, said: "Some studies suggest a significant decrease in the motility of human fresh sperm sample.

"But nothing has been reported on the possible effects of gravitational differences on frozen human gametes, in which state they could be transported from Earth to space."

A small study has found sperm isn't very affected by low gravity (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The researchers used sperm from 10 healthy donors, exposing some of the samples to microgravity using a small aerobatic aircraft.
The samples were then analysed for concentration, motility and DNA fragmentation - tests which are all performed to check for fertility.
No significant differences were found between the samples kept on the ground and those exposed to microgravity, according to the study.

Sending a sperm bank into space is a real possibility (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"The lack of differences observed in the sperm characteristics between frozen samples exposed to microgravity and those maintained in ground conditions open the possibility of safely transporting male gametes to space and considering the possibility of creating a human sperm bank outside of Earth," the researchers said.

Samples were exposed to low gravity conditions (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

However they added that this is a preliminary study, and they need to validate their findings with more samples and expose the sperm to space-like conditions for longer periods of time.
"Our best option will be to perform the experiment using real spaceflight but access is very limited," Dr Boada said.