Cortico-adrenal function under simulated weightlessness during gestation in the rat--effects on fetal development

To examine the effects of simulated weightlessness on cortico-adrenal function and on fetal development, we suspended pregnant rats for 20 days. The levels of adrenal and plasma corticosterone were examined in mothers and in fetuses. The animal control group was kept single in standard cages. Growth...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of gravitational physiology Vol. 3; no. 1; p. 63
Main Authors:	Gharbi, N, El Fazaa, S, Fagette, S, Gauquelin, G, Gharib, C, Kamoun, A
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-04-1996
Subjects:	Adaptation, Physiological Adrenal Glands - anatomy & histology Adrenal Glands - metabolism Adrenal Glands - physiology Animals Body Weight Corticosterone - blood Corticosterone - metabolism Eating Embryonic and Fetal Development Female Hindlimb Suspension Organ Size Pregnancy Rats Rats, Wistar Space Flight Weightlessness Weightlessness Simulation
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Summary:	To examine the effects of simulated weightlessness on cortico-adrenal function and on fetal development, we suspended pregnant rats for 20 days. The levels of adrenal and plasma corticosterone were examined in mothers and in fetuses. The animal control group was kept single in standard cages. Growth of the suspended animals was repressed for the first 8 days of the experiment, but thereafter it increased greatly, as did the daily food intake. By the 18th day of the experiment, the body masses and food intake of the two groups were equal. No modification in circulating corticosterone was found. It appears that there is no stress in pregnant rats submitted to simulated weightlessness.
ISSN:	1077-9248