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

• Published in: Medical hypotheses 2005, Vol.64 (2), p.221-228
• Main Authors: Sekulić, Slobodan R, Lukac, Damir D, Naumović, Nada M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Body Weight; Bone and Bones - embryology; Embryonic Development - physiology; Female; Gravitation; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Muscle, Skeletal - embryology; Pregnancy; Space Flight; Space life sciences; Weightlessness
• ISSN: 0306-9877; 1532-2777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2004.08.012

On the basis of published Magnetic Resonance Images and the values of the specific fetal and amniotic fluid weights, apparent weight of the fetus from the 18th week of gestation until term was determined. Up to the 21–22nd gestation week the fetus is in conditions similar to neutral floating, while after the 26th gestation week the apparent weight of the fetus is 60–80% of the actual weight. Decreased effect of the buoyant forces that affect the fetus in human species during the last trimester has a number of implications for the colonization of the solar system. During space flight it is impossible to apply the existing countermeasures against microgravity deconditioning of the muscular and cardiovascular systems to the fetus. Absence of gravitational loading during the last trimester of gestation would cause hypotrophy of the spinal extensors and lower extremities muscles, reduction in the amount of myosin heavy chain type I in the extensor muscles of the trunk and legs, hypoplasy and osteopeny of the vertebras and lower extremities long bones, and hypotrophy of the left ventricle of the heart muscle. Because of decreased capacity of postural and locomotor stability, acquisition of the gross developmental milestones such as sitting, standing and walking could be delayed. In the authors’ opinion, only artificial gravity (rotating platform) during space flight will allow physiological development of the human fetus. Independency of offspring’s of the guinea pig as regards locomotion and nursing increases probability of successful breeding in microgravity compared with rat offspring’s, and make this species a candidate for future experiments under conditions of microgravity and hypergravity. Examining the gestation of this species in different gravities requires first the experimental determination of the amount of buoyant force to which the fetus is exposed in physiological conditions.