Hematological measurements in rats flown on Spacelab shuttle, SL-3

Previous studies have shown that a decrease in red cell mass occurs in astronauts, and some studies indicate a leukocytosis occurs. A life science module housing young and mature rats was flown on shuttle mission Spacelab 3 (SL-3), and the results of hematology studies of flight and control rats are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of physiology Vol. 252; no. 2 Pt 2; p. R216
Main Authors Lange, R D, Andrews, R B, Gibson, L A, Congdon, C C, Wright, P, Dunn, C D, Jones, J B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.02.1987
Subjects
Animals
Blood Cells - cytology
Bone Marrow Cells
Cell Count
Erythrocytes - cytology
Hematopoietic Stem Cells - cytology
Leukocyte Count
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Space Flight
Spleen - cytology
NASA Experiment Number SL3-26
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology
Non-NASA Center
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Summary:Previous studies have shown that a decrease in red cell mass occurs in astronauts, and some studies indicate a leukocytosis occurs. A life science module housing young and mature rats was flown on shuttle mission Spacelab 3 (SL-3), and the results of hematology studies of flight and control rats are presented. Statistically significant increases in the hematocrit, red blood cell counts, and hemoglobin determinations, together with a mild neutrophilia and lymphopenia, were found in flight animals. No significant changes were found in bone marrow and spleen cell differentials or erythropoietin determinations. Clonal assays demonstrated an increased erythroid colony formation of flight animal bone marrow cells at erythropoietin doses of 0.02 and 1.0 U/ml but not 0.20 U/ml. These results agree with some but vary from other previously published studies. Erythropoietin assays and clonal studies were performed for the first time.
ISSN:0002-9513
2163-5773
DOI:10.1152/ajpregu.1987.252.2.R216