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Investigations on-board the biosatellite Cosmos-83
7, 1984 Adv. Space Res. Vol.4, No.10, pp.29—3 Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved.
0273—1177/84 $0.00
+ .50 Copyright © COSPAR
INVESTIGATIONS ON-BOARD THE BIOSATELLITE COSMOS-83 0. G. Gazenko and Eu. A. Ilyin Institute of Biomedical Problems, USSR Ministry of Health, Khoroshevskoye Shosse 76-A, Moscow D-7, 123007, U.S.S.R.
SUIVIMARY
The program of the 5day flight of the biosatellite Cosmos.-15i4 (December 1983) envisaged experimental investigations the purpose of which was to ascertain the effect of short—term microgravity on the physiology, growth and development of various animal and plant species. The study of Rhesus—monkeys has shown that they are an adequate model for exploring the mechanisms of physiological adaptation to weightlessness of the vestibular apparatus and the cardiovascular system. The rat experiment has demonstrated that mammalian embryos, at least during the last term of pregnancy, can develop in mic— rogravity. This finding has been confirmed by fish studies. The experiment on germinating seeds and adult plants has given evidence that microgravity produces no effect on the metabolism of seedlings and on the flowering stage. IITTRODTJCTIOIT Experimental investigations on the biosatollites of the Cosmos series have made an important contribution to the solution of problems of space biology and physiology. These investigations form a constitutent part of biomedical research in space missions an~as such their object is to clarify the mechanisms of adaptation to microgravity. This is of significance not only for the further development of cosmonautics but also for a better understanding of the role of gravity in life processes. During the last decade the USSR launched six biosatellitea: Cosmos-.368, 605,
690, 782, 936, and 1129. The experiments carried out on these biosatellites provided new data on the effects of microgravity, artificial gravity, and microgravity combined with ionizing radiation, on the structure and function of various living organisms /1-5/. The physiological, morphological and biochemical investigations in those flights were performed on white laboratory rats of the Wistar strain. A large body of scientific data on the effect of microgravity and other space flight factors was obtained during postflight examinations. The necessity of increasing the scope of physiological investigations stimulated flight studies of primates. The pioneering flight of two primates was conducted by the USSR on Cosmos—i 514 launched in December 1983. The basic goals of the experimental studies remained similar to those described previously /2/. As was the case with other biosatellites, some experiments were carried out on the basis of international cooperation with the participation of researchers from. Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, GDR, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, Prance, and the USA. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TIfl~ EXPERITdtI~l’ITS The biosatelljte Cosmos—1514 was inserted into a near—Earth orbit with the following parameters: apogee — 288 1~i, perigee — 226 km, inclination —
82.3°, and revolution time 89.3 miii. The expected flight duration was 5 ÷2 days, and the actual flight time was 5 days. —
The flight program included physiological experiments on two Rhesus—monkeys (Uaeaca mulatta), embryological experiments on ten pre~nant rats of the Wistar strain and three pregnant Guppy fishes (Poescil~areticulata),biolo— 29
30
0.G. Gazenko and Eu.A. Ilyin
gical experiments on germinating maize seeds (Zea maya), and crocus plants (Crocus speciosus). The purpose of these experiments was to clarify the effects of microgravity on various parameters (physiology, embryogenesis, growth, development, etc.). In addition to the above experiments, the flight program included a study of plant seeds and Artemia salina cysts the purpose of which ~r,as to study the biological effect of heavy charged particles and galactic cosmie rays. The biomaterial and detectors are still being treated, and, therefore, the results of the radiobiological experiment are not die— cussed in this paper. The biosatellite was equipped with the following devices: two primate capsules BIOS—Primate, a rat unit BIOS—B, a fish aquarium, a biocalorimeter for germinating maize seeds, a cultivator for higher plants, a container for seeds and cysts, a system for air regeneration and conditioning, and gas— analyzers. The environmental parameters were as follows: daytime from 8.00 to 24.00, illumination In the primate capsule in the head area 60 + 10 lux and in the rat unit at the floor level = up to 8 lux night time from 24.00 to 8.00; 02 pressure = 150 210 mm Hg; 002 pressure no more than 1.5 mm Hg; barometric pressure = 715 780 mm Hg; air temperature = 20.5 24°C (temperature in the primate capsule in the head area = 24 25°C); relative humidity = 30 5O~ noise, microbial content, and concentration of gaseous impurities (estimated from the mock—up studies on the ground) were within permissible limit~ The physiological equipment for monkey examinations included various sensors and transducers to be implanted or attached to the body, magnetic tape recorders, etc. —
—
—
—
—
— —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Onboard the biosatellite there also was a television system that provided information about the primate state and behavior in space flight. The animal and plant containers were placed onboard the biosatellite 2.5 days prolaunch. The maximal magnitude of acceleration launch6 g. (+Gz) 4 g, in orbital 6 g and during reentryat (+Gz) The was biosatellite was flight was aiO—soft—landing equippedit with system. The first stage of examination of the animals and plants removed from the biosatellite began 2 h. 15 mm. after touchdovm. The examinations were performed in a field laboratory supplied with all the necessary equipment for winter—time work. A control ground—based experiment in the biosatellite mock—up began 9 days postflight. In this experiment all space flight factors of physiological importance, except microgravity, were simulated. At present time the experimental data are being processed, therefore this paper contains only preliminary results. PRIMATE STUD~S The basic goal of the study was to investigate the pattern of adaptation of the vestibular apparatus and the cardiovascular system to microgravity at
an early stage. The study of the motor function, biorhythms, etc. were of secondary Importance.
higher nervous activity,
The veetibular and motor examinations were carried out on the primate Abrek, aged 3 yrs 7 tao, weighing 3.5 kg. The cardiovascular studies were performed on the primate Bion, aged 5 yrs, weighing 4.64 kg. The physiological parameters recorded unflight in both primates are listed in Table 1.
Investigations On—Board COSMOS’-83
TABLE 1
Primate Physiological
31
Parameters Recorded in
Plight
Parameter
Abrek
EEG of the sensorimotor area of the cortex
+ + + + + + + + +
Neurogram of vestibular nuclei EOG Mechanograin of head movement EMG of femur muscles
Bion
.
Total motor activity Core temperature Skin temperature ECG Rheoplethysmogram Linear blood flow velocity in the common carotid artery Blood pressure in the common carotid artery
+ + + + + + +
The health status of the primates in flight was estimated from their heart rate, body temperature, food and juice consumption, time taken to perform specific tests, as well as from television data and performance of the life support system. In the biosatellite each primate was in a moulded chair supplied with restraint system and was housed in a BIOS—Primate capsule (Pig. 1,2). capsule was equipped with an air heater, light source, food and juice zles, waste collector, light imdicators on a panel, sticks of arm and
a The
nozleg
actographs, etc. In flight both primates could watch each other.
L~.
~,.
~ ~~ ~yi~ w~’4~. 1 I
II1~
I 1i- II~
_______
__
Pig. 1.
S..
Primate compartment for ‘ciosatellite (BIOS—Primate capsule): 1— light source, 2— TV camera, 3— food nozzle, 4— panel for light indicators, 5— juice nozzle, 6— stick for arm actograph, 7— device for chair swinging, 8— fana, 9— food container,
10— juice container, 11— activated charcoal filter, 12— waste
32
O.G. Gazenko and Eu.A.
Ilyin
collector, 13— bactericidal filter, 14— pedal for leg actog— raph, 15— electronic units, 16— primate moulder support.
~
~.pp
Fig. 2.
Primate in a flight capsule.
During the first two days both primates were drowsy and inert, in particular Bion; they made no sharp movement with the head or the body; their faces, especially the lips and the neck, were enlarged. By flight day 3 the behavior o± Abrek became normal; he began to turn his head and showed interest in the surrounding objects; the edematous enlargement decreased significantly. The behavior of Bion also improved but became normal only by the end of flight day 4. During the 5—day flight Abrek consumed 396.0 g of the paste—like diet and 616 ml of the juice which was about 2.5 times less than he normally consumed on the ground within the same time period. Bion consumed 319.0 g of the diet and 200 ml of the juice which was 4 times less than he typically consumed on the ground within the same time interval. During two preflight days and five days of the flight body weight losses of Abrek and Bion were 7.4 and 8.6%, respectively. This was associated with body dehydration: at R + 1 or 2 the circulating blood and plasma volume decreased by 25—28%; the extracellular and interstitial fluid diminished, and venous hematocrit increased by 9% (Korolkov, Lobachik). Preflight Abrek was trained to perform instrumental motor reactions used-to measure the function of the semicircular canals (Program No. 1), motor sys— tern (Program No. 2) and higher nervous activity (Programs No. 1 and 2). Analysis of Program No. 1 data showed that throughout the flight Abrek worked without errors and was given juice as a reward. The time of the Program completion was within normal limits, i.e., no more than 25 mm. As to the gaze fixation reaction, Kozlovskaya found a decrease in the movement amplitude on flight days 1—2 and a subsequent increase on flight days 3—4. The velocity of head movements toward the target remained diminished till the end of the flight. Simultaneously, beginning with flight day 1 the velocity ratio of eye counterrolling and head turns increased drastically. All these changes in the gaze fixation reaction indicated that in microgravity the excitation of the semicircular canals increased substantially. Other data concerning the vestibular function of the Drimates in microgravity are being processed. Throughout the flight Abrek performed Program iTo. 2 that included stereotyped leg movements. There were however sessions when Abreit did not respond to the signals and did not perform the test. The number of correct tests, i.e., the tests that were rewarded with juice, also decreased. On the basis of analysis of the myograrns and kinematic parameters of leg movements, Kozlovskaya identified three types of motor changes. The first type developed almost immediately after insertion into orbit and was clue to a muscle tone decline as a result of which the magnitude of muscle effort decreased drastically. The second type developed on flight day 2 and was caused by the compensation of muscle effort deficiency due to the involvement of a large number of contracting myofibers. The third ty~e changes de—
Investigations On—Board COSMOS—83
33
veloped on flight day 4—5 and can be considered atactic, i.e., associated with a disorder in the stable function of central mechanisms of regulation due to changes in proprioceptive afferentation. It should be noted that after the 5—day orbital flight the circumference of upper and lower extremities of the primates diminished. The decrease of the circumference of the extremities involved in Program No. 1 (the left arm pushing the stick of an actograph) and Program No. 2 (the left leg pushing the stick of an actograph) was less than in the non—working extremities (Korolkov). The cardiovascular study revealed no significant changes in the TOG amplitude—interval parameters of both primates or pathological changes ii~the heart in flight (Nelnichenko, Badakva). Heart rate variations in flight were distinctly periodic: at night and early in the morning heart rate decreased (FIg. 3). The range of daily heart rate variations in Abrek was larger than in Bion.
HEART RATE BEATS/MTh. 160
LAUNCH
-
J’~HE
120
—
100
—
J~i
6l7lBDAyDE~
Pig.
3.
Heart rates of primates in weightlessness.
The data on the blood flow velocity and arterial pressure in the common carotid artery, cardiac output, and other parameters of the cardiovascular function of Bion are in the process of treatment and analysis. At this point in time it can be said that the above parameters varied sinusoidally during the five flight days and tended to become stable.. Body temperature varied within 36—38°C with a maximum in the daytime and a minimum at night. During the flight body temperature decreased 0.5°C (Klimo— vitsky, iclpatov). In Bion the body temperature variations showed also a tendency to the shifting of phase (Pig. 4). The primate examination at the recovery site showed that both animals were in good shape, they were active and adequately reacted to the poopie around them. They tolerated the reentry and recovery effects normally.
34
O.G.
Gazenko and Eu.A. Ilyin
LAUNCII
f:~ 36.0
7~.24.75
1~l.
0
1
Pig.
4.
2
3
4
5
TINS, DAY
Body temperature of Bion in weightlessness.
RAT EL~11YOLOGYEXPERINEIIT The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the effect of inicrogravity on female rats and fetal development. The experiment was carried out on ten
Wistar rats fertilized
preflight
/6/. On the launch day the gestation time the rats were kept together in a BIOS—B unit of 160 x 220 x 660 mm in size (Fig. 5).
was 12 days and on the recovery day 18 days. On the biosatellite
The unit was equipped with a light source, fan, waste collector, and water bowls.
Pig.
5.
BIOS—B unit for flight
rat
experiments.
feeders ~
Investigations On—Board COSMOS—83
On the recovery day five females were sacrificed to histochemioal and biochemical investigations of the The remaining five females were allowed to survive. the newborns were sacrificed and the remaining were til a later time.
35
perform morphological, mothers and fetuses. After delivery some of allowed to survive un-
The females sacrificed at R + 0 showed no pathological changes that can be associated with flight effects. It should be however noted that during the two preflight and five flight days the rats gained only 5 g, whereas in the postflight control study in the biosatellite mock—up the weight gain was 65 g (Table 2). TABLE 2
Rat Embryology Experiment
Parameter
Flight
Weight of mothers on gestation day 18 (N=5)
Control
293+6.5 g
355~5.9 g
P ~ 0.002 Number of fetuses
in five mothers on
Weight of one fetus
gestation day 18
68 0.84±0.03 g
67 0.94±0.02 g P ~ 0.05
Total weight of fetuses of one mother
11.4+0.22 g
12.49+0.99 g
In the flight rats the mass of such muscles as the gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris, extensor digitalis longus, triceps and brachialis, decreased significantly. The liver mass, hemoglobin, and the amniotic fluid in the flight rats decreased.
Such parameters of the reproductive function as the amount of yellow bodies, implantation and resorption sites, the number of alive fetuses, etc. In the flight rats did not differ from the controls. However, the weight of one fetus on gaatation day 18 in the flight group was significantly smaller than in the controls (Table 2) but the total weight of the fetuses of one female was identical to that in the control. The number and weight of newborns were also similar in the flight rol study (Table 2).
and cont-
During the first postflight week the mortality rate of newborns of the flight group was 19% versus 2.5% in the controls. This was due to the specific behavior of two flight mothers. The pattern of pup development in the flight and control groups during the first 30 days of their life was identical. EXPTRIL~ITT WITH GERMINATING MAIZE SEEDS
(zEA
MAYS)
The purpose of the experiment was to study the effect of microgravity on the metabolic activity of germinating seeds. Experiments of this kind have never been performed in space flight; in view of this, an experiment was designed to measure the metabolic activity of germinating seeds with respect to their heat production. The experiment was performed using a differential diathermic calorimeter with an accuracy of 2%. Before placing maize seeds into the calorimeter, they were kept in water for 6—8 hrs and then put into holes of a porolon disc wetted with water. Postflight analysis showed that all the 14 maize seeds germinated in micro— gravity /7/. The heat production of germinating seeds (mW/g dry seeds) recorded in flight on a daily basis did not differ from that of seeds that gerrnina—
36
O.G. Gazenko
and Eu.A. Ilyin
ted at 1 g. EXPERI~NT WITH CROCUS PLANTS (CROCUS SPECIOSUS) The purpose of this study was to investigate the flowering of higher plants in m.icrogravity. Crocuses at the building stage were kept in specially designed cultivators. Postflight plant examination showed that all flowers were no longer in blossom and their petals withered and dried out. All the flight and control plants had both normal and abortive pollen (Chuchkin). The generative organs of plants, leaves, roots and bulbotubers have been prepared for cytological examinations. EXPERI~NTWITH GUPPY FISH (POEC ILIA
RETICULATA)
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of microgravity on fish pregnancy, embryo and fry development. The experiment was carried out by Cherdantseva on three viviparous aquarium fishes fertilized 5—9 days prelaunch. In flight the fishes were kept in a 1.3 1 aquarium of 101x122x108 mm. Postflight examinations demonstrated that the motor function of the fishes that were exl.)osed to microgravity for 5 days did not differ from that of the controls fertilized simultaneously. Two fishes were fixed with Bouin’s fluid for histological examinations on postflight days 2 and 6 that corresponded to gestation days 12—16 and 18—22, respectively. According to the preliminary data, no changes in the morphology of the embryos that for 5 days developed in microgravity were seen. The female fish that was allowed to stay in an aquarium gave birth to 25 normally developed and actively swimming fry and 2 underdeveloped embryos which may also happen in the norm. The gestation period of this fish was 26—30 days. The duration of the second gestation period of this fish was the same when it was mated again to obtain a second generation fry. CONCLUSION The successful completion of the experimental program in the flight of the biosatellite Costnos—1514 is another stage in the development of space biology and physiology. The basic difference of this flight was that for the first time we flew non—human Rhesus—monkeys. Our lack of experience in using these animals as flight objects was a source of certain limitations of the flight time and research program. Although a large body of physiological data is still being processed and analyzed, it can be concluded that the primates are an adequate experimental model for studying the effect of micro— gravity on the vestibular apparatus, cardiovascular system, fluid—electrolyte balance, and motor system. This implies that in future flights primates can be used to a greater extent than before. The results of the rat embryology experiment are exciting. They give evidence that the development of a mammalian fetus at the stage of active organo— genesis normally proceeds in microgravity. It is concluded that embryological and other studies of rats in microgravity have a large potential and should be continued in future flights. The fish embryology experiment, according to the preliminary data, showed no effect of microgravity on the female physiology or the development of embryos and fry. The exposure to microgravity produces no effect on the generative stage of plant development or on the metabolism of germinating seeds. Thus, the experiments on mammals, higher plants and fish have demonstrated once again that exposure to microgravity induces no pathological changes In the organism and cannot be an obstacle for the major stages of ontogenesis. It seems a well—documented fact that microgravity as an environmental factor can produce physiological changes only within certain limits. These changes are adaptive, reversible and can be corrected in the course of flight or further development of living organisms. The results obtained in the Cosmos—1514 flight have brought us closer to a proper understanding of the process of physiological adaptation to micro— gravity and of the role of gravity in a living system.
—
Investigations On—Board COSMOS—83
37
REFERENCES
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6. 7.
O.G. Gazenko, E.A. Ilyin, V.S. Oganov, and L.V. Serova,Koam. Eiol. Avia ko~m.Med., 15, 2, 60 (1981). E.A. Ilyin, Acta Aitronaut., 8, 9—10, 1149 (1981). LA. Ilyin, Koam. Biel. Aviakoem. M.d., 18, 1, 57 (1984). A.S. Kaplanaky, LA. Savina, Kosm. Biol. Aviakosm. Med., 15, 2, 66 (1981). S.0. Nikolayev, B.A. Ilyin, Acta Astronaut., 8, 9—10, 919 (1981). L.V. Serova, L.A. Denisova, Z.I. Apanaeenko, L.A. Bryentseva and N.A. Chelnaya, Koam.Biol. Aviakosm. Med., Press (1984). M.G. 9~a1rbekovand A.V. Devyatko, Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Press (1984).
0273—1177/84 $0.00
+ .50 Copyright © COSPAR
INVESTIGATIONS ON-BOARD THE BIOSATELLITE COSMOS-83 0. G. Gazenko and Eu. A. Ilyin Institute of Biomedical Problems, USSR Ministry of Health, Khoroshevskoye Shosse 76-A, Moscow D-7, 123007, U.S.S.R.
SUIVIMARY
The program of the 5day flight of the biosatellite Cosmos.-15i4 (December 1983) envisaged experimental investigations the purpose of which was to ascertain the effect of short—term microgravity on the physiology, growth and development of various animal and plant species. The study of Rhesus—monkeys has shown that they are an adequate model for exploring the mechanisms of physiological adaptation to weightlessness of the vestibular apparatus and the cardiovascular system. The rat experiment has demonstrated that mammalian embryos, at least during the last term of pregnancy, can develop in mic— rogravity. This finding has been confirmed by fish studies. The experiment on germinating seeds and adult plants has given evidence that microgravity produces no effect on the metabolism of seedlings and on the flowering stage. IITTRODTJCTIOIT Experimental investigations on the biosatollites of the Cosmos series have made an important contribution to the solution of problems of space biology and physiology. These investigations form a constitutent part of biomedical research in space missions an~as such their object is to clarify the mechanisms of adaptation to microgravity. This is of significance not only for the further development of cosmonautics but also for a better understanding of the role of gravity in life processes. During the last decade the USSR launched six biosatellitea: Cosmos-.368, 605,
690, 782, 936, and 1129. The experiments carried out on these biosatellites provided new data on the effects of microgravity, artificial gravity, and microgravity combined with ionizing radiation, on the structure and function of various living organisms /1-5/. The physiological, morphological and biochemical investigations in those flights were performed on white laboratory rats of the Wistar strain. A large body of scientific data on the effect of microgravity and other space flight factors was obtained during postflight examinations. The necessity of increasing the scope of physiological investigations stimulated flight studies of primates. The pioneering flight of two primates was conducted by the USSR on Cosmos—i 514 launched in December 1983. The basic goals of the experimental studies remained similar to those described previously /2/. As was the case with other biosatellites, some experiments were carried out on the basis of international cooperation with the participation of researchers from. Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, GDR, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, Prance, and the USA. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TIfl~ EXPERITdtI~l’ITS The biosatelljte Cosmos—1514 was inserted into a near—Earth orbit with the following parameters: apogee — 288 1~i, perigee — 226 km, inclination —
82.3°, and revolution time 89.3 miii. The expected flight duration was 5 ÷2 days, and the actual flight time was 5 days. —
The flight program included physiological experiments on two Rhesus—monkeys (Uaeaca mulatta), embryological experiments on ten pre~nant rats of the Wistar strain and three pregnant Guppy fishes (Poescil~areticulata),biolo— 29
30
0.G. Gazenko and Eu.A. Ilyin
gical experiments on germinating maize seeds (Zea maya), and crocus plants (Crocus speciosus). The purpose of these experiments was to clarify the effects of microgravity on various parameters (physiology, embryogenesis, growth, development, etc.). In addition to the above experiments, the flight program included a study of plant seeds and Artemia salina cysts the purpose of which ~r,as to study the biological effect of heavy charged particles and galactic cosmie rays. The biomaterial and detectors are still being treated, and, therefore, the results of the radiobiological experiment are not die— cussed in this paper. The biosatellite was equipped with the following devices: two primate capsules BIOS—Primate, a rat unit BIOS—B, a fish aquarium, a biocalorimeter for germinating maize seeds, a cultivator for higher plants, a container for seeds and cysts, a system for air regeneration and conditioning, and gas— analyzers. The environmental parameters were as follows: daytime from 8.00 to 24.00, illumination In the primate capsule in the head area 60 + 10 lux and in the rat unit at the floor level = up to 8 lux night time from 24.00 to 8.00; 02 pressure = 150 210 mm Hg; 002 pressure no more than 1.5 mm Hg; barometric pressure = 715 780 mm Hg; air temperature = 20.5 24°C (temperature in the primate capsule in the head area = 24 25°C); relative humidity = 30 5O~ noise, microbial content, and concentration of gaseous impurities (estimated from the mock—up studies on the ground) were within permissible limit~ The physiological equipment for monkey examinations included various sensors and transducers to be implanted or attached to the body, magnetic tape recorders, etc. —
—
—
—
—
— —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Onboard the biosatellite there also was a television system that provided information about the primate state and behavior in space flight. The animal and plant containers were placed onboard the biosatellite 2.5 days prolaunch. The maximal magnitude of acceleration launch6 g. (+Gz) 4 g, in orbital 6 g and during reentryat (+Gz) The was biosatellite was flight was aiO—soft—landing equippedit with system. The first stage of examination of the animals and plants removed from the biosatellite began 2 h. 15 mm. after touchdovm. The examinations were performed in a field laboratory supplied with all the necessary equipment for winter—time work. A control ground—based experiment in the biosatellite mock—up began 9 days postflight. In this experiment all space flight factors of physiological importance, except microgravity, were simulated. At present time the experimental data are being processed, therefore this paper contains only preliminary results. PRIMATE STUD~S The basic goal of the study was to investigate the pattern of adaptation of the vestibular apparatus and the cardiovascular system to microgravity at
an early stage. The study of the motor function, biorhythms, etc. were of secondary Importance.
higher nervous activity,
The veetibular and motor examinations were carried out on the primate Abrek, aged 3 yrs 7 tao, weighing 3.5 kg. The cardiovascular studies were performed on the primate Bion, aged 5 yrs, weighing 4.64 kg. The physiological parameters recorded unflight in both primates are listed in Table 1.
Investigations On—Board COSMOS’-83
TABLE 1
Primate Physiological
31
Parameters Recorded in
Plight
Parameter
Abrek
EEG of the sensorimotor area of the cortex
+ + + + + + + + +
Neurogram of vestibular nuclei EOG Mechanograin of head movement EMG of femur muscles
Bion
.
Total motor activity Core temperature Skin temperature ECG Rheoplethysmogram Linear blood flow velocity in the common carotid artery Blood pressure in the common carotid artery
+ + + + + + +
The health status of the primates in flight was estimated from their heart rate, body temperature, food and juice consumption, time taken to perform specific tests, as well as from television data and performance of the life support system. In the biosatellite each primate was in a moulded chair supplied with restraint system and was housed in a BIOS—Primate capsule (Pig. 1,2). capsule was equipped with an air heater, light source, food and juice zles, waste collector, light imdicators on a panel, sticks of arm and
a The
nozleg
actographs, etc. In flight both primates could watch each other.
L~.
~,.
~ ~~ ~yi~ w~’4~. 1 I
II1~
I 1i- II~
_______
__
Pig. 1.
S..
Primate compartment for ‘ciosatellite (BIOS—Primate capsule): 1— light source, 2— TV camera, 3— food nozzle, 4— panel for light indicators, 5— juice nozzle, 6— stick for arm actograph, 7— device for chair swinging, 8— fana, 9— food container,
10— juice container, 11— activated charcoal filter, 12— waste
32
O.G. Gazenko and Eu.A.
Ilyin
collector, 13— bactericidal filter, 14— pedal for leg actog— raph, 15— electronic units, 16— primate moulder support.
~
~.pp
Fig. 2.
Primate in a flight capsule.
During the first two days both primates were drowsy and inert, in particular Bion; they made no sharp movement with the head or the body; their faces, especially the lips and the neck, were enlarged. By flight day 3 the behavior o± Abrek became normal; he began to turn his head and showed interest in the surrounding objects; the edematous enlargement decreased significantly. The behavior of Bion also improved but became normal only by the end of flight day 4. During the 5—day flight Abrek consumed 396.0 g of the paste—like diet and 616 ml of the juice which was about 2.5 times less than he normally consumed on the ground within the same time period. Bion consumed 319.0 g of the diet and 200 ml of the juice which was 4 times less than he typically consumed on the ground within the same time interval. During two preflight days and five days of the flight body weight losses of Abrek and Bion were 7.4 and 8.6%, respectively. This was associated with body dehydration: at R + 1 or 2 the circulating blood and plasma volume decreased by 25—28%; the extracellular and interstitial fluid diminished, and venous hematocrit increased by 9% (Korolkov, Lobachik). Preflight Abrek was trained to perform instrumental motor reactions used-to measure the function of the semicircular canals (Program No. 1), motor sys— tern (Program No. 2) and higher nervous activity (Programs No. 1 and 2). Analysis of Program No. 1 data showed that throughout the flight Abrek worked without errors and was given juice as a reward. The time of the Program completion was within normal limits, i.e., no more than 25 mm. As to the gaze fixation reaction, Kozlovskaya found a decrease in the movement amplitude on flight days 1—2 and a subsequent increase on flight days 3—4. The velocity of head movements toward the target remained diminished till the end of the flight. Simultaneously, beginning with flight day 1 the velocity ratio of eye counterrolling and head turns increased drastically. All these changes in the gaze fixation reaction indicated that in microgravity the excitation of the semicircular canals increased substantially. Other data concerning the vestibular function of the Drimates in microgravity are being processed. Throughout the flight Abrek performed Program iTo. 2 that included stereotyped leg movements. There were however sessions when Abreit did not respond to the signals and did not perform the test. The number of correct tests, i.e., the tests that were rewarded with juice, also decreased. On the basis of analysis of the myograrns and kinematic parameters of leg movements, Kozlovskaya identified three types of motor changes. The first type developed almost immediately after insertion into orbit and was clue to a muscle tone decline as a result of which the magnitude of muscle effort decreased drastically. The second type developed on flight day 2 and was caused by the compensation of muscle effort deficiency due to the involvement of a large number of contracting myofibers. The third ty~e changes de—
Investigations On—Board COSMOS—83
33
veloped on flight day 4—5 and can be considered atactic, i.e., associated with a disorder in the stable function of central mechanisms of regulation due to changes in proprioceptive afferentation. It should be noted that after the 5—day orbital flight the circumference of upper and lower extremities of the primates diminished. The decrease of the circumference of the extremities involved in Program No. 1 (the left arm pushing the stick of an actograph) and Program No. 2 (the left leg pushing the stick of an actograph) was less than in the non—working extremities (Korolkov). The cardiovascular study revealed no significant changes in the TOG amplitude—interval parameters of both primates or pathological changes ii~the heart in flight (Nelnichenko, Badakva). Heart rate variations in flight were distinctly periodic: at night and early in the morning heart rate decreased (FIg. 3). The range of daily heart rate variations in Abrek was larger than in Bion.
HEART RATE BEATS/MTh. 160
LAUNCH
-
J’~HE
120
—
100
—
J~i
6l7lBDAyDE~
Pig.
3.
Heart rates of primates in weightlessness.
The data on the blood flow velocity and arterial pressure in the common carotid artery, cardiac output, and other parameters of the cardiovascular function of Bion are in the process of treatment and analysis. At this point in time it can be said that the above parameters varied sinusoidally during the five flight days and tended to become stable.. Body temperature varied within 36—38°C with a maximum in the daytime and a minimum at night. During the flight body temperature decreased 0.5°C (Klimo— vitsky, iclpatov). In Bion the body temperature variations showed also a tendency to the shifting of phase (Pig. 4). The primate examination at the recovery site showed that both animals were in good shape, they were active and adequately reacted to the poopie around them. They tolerated the reentry and recovery effects normally.
34
O.G.
Gazenko and Eu.A. Ilyin
LAUNCII
f:~ 36.0
7~.24.75
1~l.
0
1
Pig.
4.
2
3
4
5
TINS, DAY
Body temperature of Bion in weightlessness.
RAT EL~11YOLOGYEXPERINEIIT The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the effect of inicrogravity on female rats and fetal development. The experiment was carried out on ten
Wistar rats fertilized
preflight
/6/. On the launch day the gestation time the rats were kept together in a BIOS—B unit of 160 x 220 x 660 mm in size (Fig. 5).
was 12 days and on the recovery day 18 days. On the biosatellite
The unit was equipped with a light source, fan, waste collector, and water bowls.
Pig.
5.
BIOS—B unit for flight
rat
experiments.
feeders ~
Investigations On—Board COSMOS—83
On the recovery day five females were sacrificed to histochemioal and biochemical investigations of the The remaining five females were allowed to survive. the newborns were sacrificed and the remaining were til a later time.
35
perform morphological, mothers and fetuses. After delivery some of allowed to survive un-
The females sacrificed at R + 0 showed no pathological changes that can be associated with flight effects. It should be however noted that during the two preflight and five flight days the rats gained only 5 g, whereas in the postflight control study in the biosatellite mock—up the weight gain was 65 g (Table 2). TABLE 2
Rat Embryology Experiment
Parameter
Flight
Weight of mothers on gestation day 18 (N=5)
Control
293+6.5 g
355~5.9 g
P ~ 0.002 Number of fetuses
in five mothers on
Weight of one fetus
gestation day 18
68 0.84±0.03 g
67 0.94±0.02 g P ~ 0.05
Total weight of fetuses of one mother
11.4+0.22 g
12.49+0.99 g
In the flight rats the mass of such muscles as the gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris, extensor digitalis longus, triceps and brachialis, decreased significantly. The liver mass, hemoglobin, and the amniotic fluid in the flight rats decreased.
Such parameters of the reproductive function as the amount of yellow bodies, implantation and resorption sites, the number of alive fetuses, etc. In the flight rats did not differ from the controls. However, the weight of one fetus on gaatation day 18 in the flight group was significantly smaller than in the controls (Table 2) but the total weight of the fetuses of one female was identical to that in the control. The number and weight of newborns were also similar in the flight rol study (Table 2).
and cont-
During the first postflight week the mortality rate of newborns of the flight group was 19% versus 2.5% in the controls. This was due to the specific behavior of two flight mothers. The pattern of pup development in the flight and control groups during the first 30 days of their life was identical. EXPTRIL~ITT WITH GERMINATING MAIZE SEEDS
(zEA
MAYS)
The purpose of the experiment was to study the effect of microgravity on the metabolic activity of germinating seeds. Experiments of this kind have never been performed in space flight; in view of this, an experiment was designed to measure the metabolic activity of germinating seeds with respect to their heat production. The experiment was performed using a differential diathermic calorimeter with an accuracy of 2%. Before placing maize seeds into the calorimeter, they were kept in water for 6—8 hrs and then put into holes of a porolon disc wetted with water. Postflight analysis showed that all the 14 maize seeds germinated in micro— gravity /7/. The heat production of germinating seeds (mW/g dry seeds) recorded in flight on a daily basis did not differ from that of seeds that gerrnina—
36
O.G. Gazenko
and Eu.A. Ilyin
ted at 1 g. EXPERI~NT WITH CROCUS PLANTS (CROCUS SPECIOSUS) The purpose of this study was to investigate the flowering of higher plants in m.icrogravity. Crocuses at the building stage were kept in specially designed cultivators. Postflight plant examination showed that all flowers were no longer in blossom and their petals withered and dried out. All the flight and control plants had both normal and abortive pollen (Chuchkin). The generative organs of plants, leaves, roots and bulbotubers have been prepared for cytological examinations. EXPERI~NTWITH GUPPY FISH (POEC ILIA
RETICULATA)
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of microgravity on fish pregnancy, embryo and fry development. The experiment was carried out by Cherdantseva on three viviparous aquarium fishes fertilized 5—9 days prelaunch. In flight the fishes were kept in a 1.3 1 aquarium of 101x122x108 mm. Postflight examinations demonstrated that the motor function of the fishes that were exl.)osed to microgravity for 5 days did not differ from that of the controls fertilized simultaneously. Two fishes were fixed with Bouin’s fluid for histological examinations on postflight days 2 and 6 that corresponded to gestation days 12—16 and 18—22, respectively. According to the preliminary data, no changes in the morphology of the embryos that for 5 days developed in microgravity were seen. The female fish that was allowed to stay in an aquarium gave birth to 25 normally developed and actively swimming fry and 2 underdeveloped embryos which may also happen in the norm. The gestation period of this fish was 26—30 days. The duration of the second gestation period of this fish was the same when it was mated again to obtain a second generation fry. CONCLUSION The successful completion of the experimental program in the flight of the biosatellite Costnos—1514 is another stage in the development of space biology and physiology. The basic difference of this flight was that for the first time we flew non—human Rhesus—monkeys. Our lack of experience in using these animals as flight objects was a source of certain limitations of the flight time and research program. Although a large body of physiological data is still being processed and analyzed, it can be concluded that the primates are an adequate experimental model for studying the effect of micro— gravity on the vestibular apparatus, cardiovascular system, fluid—electrolyte balance, and motor system. This implies that in future flights primates can be used to a greater extent than before. The results of the rat embryology experiment are exciting. They give evidence that the development of a mammalian fetus at the stage of active organo— genesis normally proceeds in microgravity. It is concluded that embryological and other studies of rats in microgravity have a large potential and should be continued in future flights. The fish embryology experiment, according to the preliminary data, showed no effect of microgravity on the female physiology or the development of embryos and fry. The exposure to microgravity produces no effect on the generative stage of plant development or on the metabolism of germinating seeds. Thus, the experiments on mammals, higher plants and fish have demonstrated once again that exposure to microgravity induces no pathological changes In the organism and cannot be an obstacle for the major stages of ontogenesis. It seems a well—documented fact that microgravity as an environmental factor can produce physiological changes only within certain limits. These changes are adaptive, reversible and can be corrected in the course of flight or further development of living organisms. The results obtained in the Cosmos—1514 flight have brought us closer to a proper understanding of the process of physiological adaptation to micro— gravity and of the role of gravity in a living system.
—
Investigations On—Board COSMOS—83
37
REFERENCES
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6. 7.
O.G. Gazenko, E.A. Ilyin, V.S. Oganov, and L.V. Serova,Koam. Eiol. Avia ko~m.Med., 15, 2, 60 (1981). E.A. Ilyin, Acta Aitronaut., 8, 9—10, 1149 (1981). LA. Ilyin, Koam. Biel. Aviakoem. M.d., 18, 1, 57 (1984). A.S. Kaplanaky, LA. Savina, Kosm. Biol. Aviakosm. Med., 15, 2, 66 (1981). S.0. Nikolayev, B.A. Ilyin, Acta Astronaut., 8, 9—10, 919 (1981). L.V. Serova, L.A. Denisova, Z.I. Apanaeenko, L.A. Bryentseva and N.A. Chelnaya, Koam.Biol. Aviakosm. Med., Press (1984). M.G. 9~a1rbekovand A.V. Devyatko, Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Press (1984).