Osaka University
Osaka University
Osaka University
Osaka University
Osaka University
Osaka University
Toyohashi Sozo University
Fujita Health University
Fujita Health University
Kyoto University
出版者
宇宙航空研究開発機構宇宙科学研究本部
出版者（英）
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
雑誌名
宇宙利用シンポジウム
雑誌名(英)
Space Utilization Research: Proceedings of Space Utilization Symposium
The Twenty-fifth Space Utilization Symposium (January 14-15, 2009: ISAS/JAXA Sagamihara, Japan)
抄録（英）
Effects of 14 days of hindlimb suspension on the body composition and hematological and muscular properties were studied in 9-wk old male Mongolian gerbils (meriones unguiculatus). Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit levels were increased after hindlimb suspension. White blood cell and platelet counts were lowered, on the contrary. Significant atrophy was noted in soleus and adductor longus muscles, although the weights of other hindlimb muscles were stable. The mass of other organs, such as brain, heart, liver, kidney, and spleen, were not influenced by hindlimb suspension, either. Even though the daily food intake was similar to the controls, water consumption was very low during hindlimb suspension. This phenomenon may be the major cause for the hemoconcentration. However, the lowered platelet counts may suggest that increased blood viscosity and/or possibility of clot formation may be modified by activation and/or consumption of platelets. The unloading-related water loss from plantaris muscle was less than other species. These phenomena may be closely related to the greater tolerance to dehydration in this animal. It was suggested that meriones unguiculatus could be one of the unique animals to be used for spaceflight experiment.
Possible utilization of gerbils for spaceflight experiment
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