Various hormone changes during simulated space stresses in the monkey

¹ Space Biology Laboratories and Department of Pharmacology, University of California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California

Experiments were undertaken to study the alteration in urinary excretion of 17-ketogenic steroid, catecholamine, and urine output during several simulated space stresses, i.e., centrifugation, vibration, and isolation with restraint in the monkey. The results indicated a variability of responses depending on the type and degree of stress. Reduction in urine volume was observed in all instances. A fall in steroid and slight elevation in catecholamine excretion was observed following vibration and centrifugation. The centrifugation appeared to be slightly more stressful. Isolation with restraint appears to be a severe stress to the animals as demonstrated by a marked elevation of amine, and a marked reduction in both urine output and steroid excretion.

Submitted on September 24, 1962