[Investigation of the main gas-exchange parameters in the Mongolian gerbil in view of a space experiment].
A pressurized module with a self-sustained life support system is being designed for spaceflight experiments with Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatis). As a rule, these rodents do not drink free water taking minimum of water available in nourishment Although the gerbil is a common test object, it has never been flown in space. Specifically, nothing is known about the animal gas-exchange parameters critical for the development of life support systems. Our purpose was to shed light on the gerbil's gas-exchange demands and thereupon to prototype the air supply system in simulation experiments. On the average, a group of (n = 9, mean body mass of 45 g) consumed 0.044 ml/g/min of oxygen and produced 0.024 ml/g/min of CO2. The proposed design of the animal gas supply system controls oxygen and carbon dioxide at the atmospheric concentrations. Data of these experiments were used to write specifications for animals maintenance module KONRTUR to be launched aboard space vehicle FOTON-M.
Soldatov
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D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000818:Animals; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D005849:Gerbillinae; D008021:Life Support Systems; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D018531:Spacecraft