ABSTRACT
The Animal Module for Autonomous space Support (A-MASS) was developed to enable 30-day spaceflight for mice on the first Commercial Experiment Transporter mission. Because space hardware did not previously exist to support mice without astronaut intervention, the A-MASS presented considerable technical and animal care challenges. The technical challenges included maintaining a 42.5l payload volume and 20-g structural conformance while providing 30 days of autonomous mouse support. Sensors, video, a pressurized oxygen supply system and an internal data logging system were incorporated. The A-MASS met NIH guidelines for temperature, humidity, food and water access, oxygen supply, air quality and odor control. These technical and animal care challenges, along with power and mass constraints, were addressed using a novel design which ensures a fresh food and water supply, a clean view path into the cage for the camera system, and removal of the wastes from the air supply. The payload was successfully tested in an enclosed chamber and passed animal health, vibrational, mechanical, and electrical tests. The physiological, tactical and animal support information gathered will be applicable to the development of mouse support modules for the Shuttle Middeck and Space Station Freedom Express Rack environments.
Subject(s)
Housing, Animal/standards , Life Support Systems/instrumentation , Mice/physiology , Space Flight/instrumentation , Animal Welfare , Animals , Environment, Controlled , Equipment Design , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Life Support Systems/standards , Lighting , Oxygen Consumption/physiology , Space Flight/standards , Spacecraft/instrumentation , Waste ManagementABSTRACT
The present study assessed the contributions of feeding changes and unloading to the overall measured effects of 2-wk hindlimb (Tail) suspension on the mouse femora. Feeding changes were addressed by considering the effects of matched feeding among suspended and control mice. The effects of hind limb unloading were considered by comparing suspended mice to mice equipped identically (though not suspended) and matched-fed. The feeding and unloading aspects of suspension appear to cause distinctly differing effects on the stereotypic modeling of the femora. Matched-feeding was accompanied by increased resorption surface in comparison to suspended mice, while unloading led to reduced bone formation at the mid-diaphysis of the femora. Reduced mineral content was observed in the bones of suspended mice when compared to the other mice groups, but without increased resorption surface. Thus, the unloading aspects of the antiorthostatic suspension protocol apparently causes reduced formation and mineralization in the femur.
