Reproduction on Mars: Scientists Find Humans Will Be Able to Breed on the Red Planet

A new study focused on reproduction on Mars is suggesting that humans will be able to reproduce on the Red Planet, as sperm can be stored for more than 200 years there.

As part of a six-year experiment carried out by Japanese researchers to evaluate the long term-effect of space radiation on the reproductive normality of mouse sperm preserved on the International Space Station (ISS), scientists found that the mammalian sperm was still alive.

They previously thought radiation in space would destroy our DNA, making reproduction impossible.

Result of the experiments regarding reproduction on Mars

Freeze-dried sperm samples taken from three of 66 mice were launched to the ISS in 2013, while the other three were observed on Earth by being exposed to X-rays. It was appeared fertility was unaffected.

“Many genetically normal offspring were obtained. These discoveries are essential for mankind,” Professor Sayaka Wakayama, one of the study’s authors, told Daily Mail.

“When the time comes to migrate to other planets, we will need to maintain the diversity of genetic re­sources, not only for humans but also domestic animals,” he added.

As well as the research concerning the reproduction on Mars, the latest work came as NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, which became the first aircraft in history to make a flight on another planet, has recently made its seventh successful flight on the Red Planet.

NASA’s Perseverance rover, carried Ingenuity to Mars, produced oxygen by converting some of the Red Planet’s carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere.

The researchers are also hopeful to conduct freeze-dried sperm experiments on NASA’s Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, a station that will orbit the Moon.

“However, astronauts will not stay in this Gateway; therefore, freeze-dried sperm will be appropriate for mammalian reproduction experiments on the Gateway because it can be preserved at room temperature for a longer period of time without astronaut maintenance,” they said in their paper.

Schematic diagram of the preparation of freeze-dried sperm and the type of experiments conducted. Photo credit: Sayaka Wakayama, University of Yamanashi.