P RINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (S ): Stephen L. Kimzey, and Philip C. Johnson 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : Hematological and Immunological Studies 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Apollo-Soyuz Test Project 



CLASSIFICATION : Human 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Hematology, Immunology 



OBJECTIVES : To provide hematologic and immunologic data to the Apollo-Soyuz 

 Test Project (ASTP) crew surgeon that was necessary for the objective 

 assessment of the crew's health status before launch and during the period 

 immediately after flight and to evaluate the influence of space flight on the 

 circulating blood volume. 



PROTOCOL : Blood samples were collected by venipuncture preflight on days 

 F-30, F-15, and F-5 and for 4 weeks postf light. Radioisotope studies were 

 conducted on days F-15, R+0, and R+29. 



EQUIPMENT : Blood collection device. 



RESULTS : Red cell mass was reduced 9% at R+0 and remained below normal 

 through R+28. HCT and Hb were slightly reduced at R+0 and were reduced 1 0- 15% 

 at R+8. Slight postf light reduction in RBC count was found. There was a 

 postflight elevation in WBC count (Neutrophils). A significant shift occurred 

 in the red cell shape classification after flight. An elevation in 

 methemoglobin occurred at R+0. Individuals showed varied immunologic 

 responses. No significant plasma protein abnormalities were found preflight 

 or postflight. Constituents studied were: total protein, albumin, globulins 

 a2-macro, ai,a2, 6, Y, G, M, D, A, haptoglobin, 1 -glycoprotein, 1-antitrypsin, 

 C3, ceruloplasmin, LDH 1-5, lipoproteins a, 6, pre-3 . 



CONCLUSIONS : Most of the changes observed in the hematologic and immunologic 

 functions of the ASTP crewmen as a result of their exposure to space flight 

 were subtle and/or transient. The changes in RBC, Hb , and HCT were the result 

 of shifts in plasma volume during the flight and immediately after flight. 

 The exposure of the crew to a toxic gas during reentry complicated the 

 interpretation of those changes observed. This exposure may have particular 

 significance with respect to the altered red cell shape profile after flight 

 and its slow rate of recovery. 



PUBLICATIONS : 314 



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