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Rat maintenance in the Research Animal Holding Facility during the flight of Space Lab 3To test the husbandry capabilities of the Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) during space flight, 24 male rats were flown on Spacelab 3 for 7 days. Twelve large rats (400 g, LF), 5 of which had telemetry devices implanted (IF), and 12 small rats (200 g, SF) were housed in the RAHF. Examination 3 hr after landing (R + 3) revealed the rats to be free of injury, well nourished, and stained with urine. At R + 10 the rats were lethargic and atonic with hyperemia of the extremities and well groomed except for a middorsal area stained with urine and food. Both LF and SF rats showed weight gains comparable to their IG controls; IF rats grew less than controls. Food and water consumption were similar for flight and control groups. Plasma concentrations of total protein, sodium, albumin and creatinine did not differ between flight and control groups. LF and SF rats had elevated plasma glucose, and SF rats had increased blood urea nitrogen, potassium and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. These observations indicate that rats maintained in the RAHF were healthy, well nourished and experienced minimal stress; physiological changes in the rats can thus be attributed to the effects of space flight.
Document ID
19860045716
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Fast, T.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Grindeland, R.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Kraft, L.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Ruder, M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Vasques, M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Physiologist, Supplement
Volume: 28
ISSN: 0031-9376
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
86A30454
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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