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Hormonal response to restraint in rhesus monkeys
G Gauquelin-Koch1, J P Blanquie, M Viso
1Laboratoire de Physiologie de l'Environment (GIP Exercice), Faculté de Médecine Lyon Grange-Blanche, France.
Journal of Medical Primatology
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Restraining rhesus monkeys for spaceflight altered hormones, increasing active renin and vasopressin while decreasing atrial natriuretic peptide and sodium. Growth hormone significantly increased, mirroring human responses to confinement stress.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Space Medicine
- Animal Models
Background:
- Spaceflight necessitates understanding physiological adaptations to confinement.
- Rhesus monkeys are valuable models for studying human responses to space environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize hormonal changes in rhesus monkeys exposed to a restraint system.
- To assess physiological responses relevant to spaceflight preparation.
Main Methods:
- Four adult male rhesus monkeys were housed in metabolic cages and a restraint chair.
- Hormonal levels (active renin, vasopressin, ANP, urodilatin, catecholamines, growth hormone) and sodium excretion were measured across different phases.
- Phases included acclimatization, restraint, and recovery.
Main Results:
- Restraint led to a 30% increase in active renin and 25% increase in vasopressin.
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), urodilatin, and sodium excretion decreased during restraint.
- Urinary growth hormone excretion increased tenfold during restraint and early recovery.
- Catecholamines remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- The restraint system induced significant hormonal shifts in rhesus monkeys.
- These changes, particularly in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and natriuretic systems, are comparable to human responses to isolation and confinement stress.
- Findings provide insights into physiological challenges for spaceflight.