Adrenocortical Steroids, Body Organ Weights, and Hematology of Rats Exposed to a Pure Oxygen Environment at 210 mm. Hg, Absolute

摘要

Continuing interest in the possible use of low pressure, normoxic environments in spacecraft has led to investigation of the effect of such environments upon hematologic parameters, organ weights, and plasma corticosteroids. Experiments were conducted with rats exposed up to 11 months in an environment containing 98% oxygen at 210 mm. Hg, absolute. Blood levels of corticosterone and body and organ weights of experimental animals were measured after specified periods of exposure. Hematologic parameters (hematocrit, hemoglobin, red cell, white cell, eosinophil, and reticulocyte counts) were also determined. Except for the first few days of exposure to altitude, the results of plasma corticosterone determinations gave no evidence of prolonged stress to the animals. In general, changes in body organ weights and hematologic parameters were minor and did not appear to affect the animals adversely even after 11 months of continuous exposure. (Author)