NASA Study: Long Space Journeys Could Cause Erectile Dysfunction in Male Astronauts

Editor, CNBC Indonesia

Tech

Tuesday, 11/28/2023 20:10 IWST

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – NASA has bad news for male astronauts. Long journeys in space can cause male astronauts to experience long-term symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

Astronauts will even continue to experience male virility problems after they return to Earth from space travel.

According to research published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology’s (FASEB) Journal, long-term exposure to galactic cosmic radiation will damage the erectile tissue of male astronauts.

The researchers said the discovery “reveals new health risks that must be considered on long journeys through space.”

To test the impact of galactic cosmic radiation and micro-gravity on erectile tissue, researchers used 86 male mice in a 4-week experiment at NASA’s space radiation laboratory in New York. In the experiment, mice were anesthetized and then exposed to various levels of radiation from a 30 degree angle.

Researchers found that, even at very low exposure levels, experimental mice experienced oxidative stress. This stress then damages the arteries that carry blood to the penis and erectile tissue. Even though the mice were only exposed to low levels of radiation, the effects continued to be felt for more than a year.

Apart from radiation, conditions without gravity also have an impact on the mice’s body tissue.

According to Justin La Favor, a neurological dysfunction expert from Florida State University, the results of the study are not surprising

“Before research showed that cosmic radiation damages the endothelium and nerve tissue, both of which are very important in erectile function,” La Favor told Newsweek.

However, the same research brings a bit of good news. Erectile dysfunction due to cosmic radiation and micro-gravity can be treated.

“Treatments that target tissue with redox and nitric oxide show functional improvement, meaning erectile dysfunction can be treated,” La Favor said.

(to/the)

2023-11-28 13:10:00
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