This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Burden, H. W. Articles by Hodson, C. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Burden, H. W. Articles by Hodson, C. A.

Effects of space flight on ovarian–hypophyseal function in postpartum rats

The effect of space flight in a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shuttle was studied in pregnant rats. Rats were launched on day 9 of gestation and recovered on day 20 of gestation. On day 20 of gestation, rats were unilaterally hysterectomized and subsequently allowed to go to term and deliver vaginally. There was no effect of space flight on pituitary and ovary mass postpartum. In addition, space flight did not alter healthy and atretic ovarian antral follicle populations, fetal wastage in utero, plasma concentrations of progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) or pituitary content of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Space flight significantly increased plasma concentrations of FSH and decreased pituitary content of LH at the postpartum sampling time. Collectively, these data show that space flight, initiated during the postimplantation period of pregnancy, and concluded before parturition, is compatible with maintenance of pregnancy and has minimal effects on postpartum hypophyseal parameters; however, none of the ovarian parameters examined was altered by space flight.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. C. L. Tou, R. E. Grindeland, and C. E. Wade Effects of diet and exposure to hindlimb suspension on estrous cycling in Sprague-Dawley rats Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, March 1, 2004; 286(3): E425 - E433. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. Tou, A. Ronca, R. Grindeland, and C. Wade Models to Study Gravitational Biology of Mammalian Reproduction Biol Reprod, December 1, 2002; 67(6): 1681 - 1687. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. E. Ronca, L. A. Baer, N. G. Daunton, and C. E. Wade Maternal Reproductive Experience Enhances Early Postnatal Outcome Following Gestation and Birth of Rats in Hypergravity Biol Reprod, September 1, 2001; 65(3): 805 - 813. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. M. Ortiz, C. E. Wade, and E. Morey-Holton Urinary Excretion of LH and Testosterone from Male Rats During Exposure to Increased Gravity: Post-Spaceflight and Centrifugation Experimental Biology and Medicine, October 1, 2000; 225(1): 98 - 102. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				K. Plaut, R. Maple, C. Vyas, S. Munaim, A. Darling, T. Casey, and J. R. Alberts The Effects of Spaceflight on Mammary Metabolism in Pregnant Rats Experimental Biology and Medicine, October 2, 1999; 222(1): 85 - 89. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. Sonnenfeld, M. Foster, D. Morton, F. Bailliard, N. A. Fowler, A. M. Hakenewerth, R. Bates, and E. S. Miller Jr. Spaceflight and development of immune responses J Appl Physiol, October 1, 1998; 85(4): 1429 - 1433. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]