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Effects of spaceflight on rat pituitary cell function: Preflight and flight experiment for pituitary gland study on COSMOS, 1989The secretory capacity of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) cells prepared from rats flown in space on the 12.5 day mission of Cosmos 1887 and the 14 day mission of Cosmos 2044 was evaluated in several post-flight tests on Earth. The results showed statistically significant and repeatable decrements in hormone release, especially when biological assays (rather than immunological assays) were used in the tests. Significant and repeatable intracellular changes in GH cells from the flight animals were also found; most important were increases in the GH-specific cytoplasmic staining intensities and cytoplasmic areas occupied by hormore. Tail suspension of rats for 14 days, an established model for mimicking musculo-skeletal changes seen in spaceflown rats, results in some changes in GH and PRL cell function that were similar to those from spaceflown animals. Our results add to a growing body of data that described deconditioning of physiological systems in spaceflight and provide insights into the time frame that might be required for readaptation of the GH/PRL cell system upon return to Earth.
Document ID
19920007326
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Hymer, Wesley C. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1990
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-189799
NAS 1.26:189799
Accession Number
92N16544
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-598
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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