LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF AN OXYGEN ENVIRONMENT ON A RAT COLONY AT 210 MM. HG ABSOLUTE.
Abstract
Twelve female, albino rats (Charles River CD*) were exposed for a period of 11 months to an environment containing near 100% oxygen at a total pressure of 210 mm. Hg absolute. Growth rates, length of pregnancy, size of litters, and number in each litter weaned did not differ significantly from ground-level controls. Offspring of altitude females either remained at altitude or were brought to ground level at 21 days of age. All F1-generation animals were sacrificed at 60 days of age. Growth rates of altitude animals and altitude animals brought down at 21 days of age did not differ significantly from those of ground-level controls, nor did eosinophil and reticulocyte counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or white and red cell counts with one exception: Control males exhibited a higher red cell count than males born at altitude, but brought down at 21 days of age. It was concluded that the environmental conditions resulted in no important physiologic changes to the animals even over long periods of time and that readaptation to ground-level conditions occurred with no apparent difficulty. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0642748
Entities
People
- William E. Pepelko
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine