PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S ) : Stephen L. Kimzey, Craig L. Fischer, Philip C. 



Johnson, Stephan E. Ritzmann, and Charles E. 

 Mengel 



EXPERIMENT TITLE/NUMBER : Hematology and Immunology Studies 



PROGRAM/MISSION : Apollo 



CLASSIFICATION : Human . 



DISCIPLINE(S) : Hematology, Immunology 



OBJECTIVES : To acquire specific laboratory data relative to the assessment of 

 the health status of the astronauts prior to their commitment to space flight, 

 to detect and identify any alterations in the normal functions of the 

 immunohematologic systems which could be attributed to space flight exposure, 

 and to evaluate the significance of these changes relative to man's continuing 

 participation in space flight missions. 



PROTOCOL : Routine blood procedures were red blood cell count, reticulocyte 

 count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices, white blood cell count, white 

 cell differential count, platelet count, and total eosinophil count. There 

 were some special hemotology procedures, such as blood volume, RBC metabolism, 

 and cellular analysis. Samples were obtained by venipuncture on F-30, R+3 

 hr., and for 2 weeks postf light. Three ground controls were used. 



For the cytogenetic studies, peripheral blood samples were collected and 

 heparinized. After centrifugation , the buffy coat was preserved for 

 chromosome cultures and the serum and erythrocytes were used for other 

 laboratory experiments. The cultures were harvested after 66 hours incubation 

 at 37 C. Slides were prepared and the cells stained. Pref light blood samples 

 were collected from 30 days to one day prior to lift-off. Postf light samples 

 were drawn on the day of recovery or within four days. 200 to 1000 metaphase 

 cells were scored for each individual. 



For the immunology studies, the serum proteins were assayed serially before 

 flight, immediately after recovery, and for varying periods of time (up to two 

 weeks) after flight. Serum protein electrophoretic patterns were obtained by 

 cellulose acetate electrophoresis, from which albumin, a -globulin and Y 

 globulin fractions were computed. Individual serum proteins were quantitated 

 by radial immunodiffusion (RID), using specific antisera. Proteins assayed by 

 RID include immunoglobulins G, A, and M (I g G » I A > I- M ) » the third component 

 of complement (C3) , the carrier proteins transferrin, haptoglobin and 

 ceruloplasmin, the antiproteases , a -antitrypsin, and a 2 -macroglobulin, and 

 a.-acid glycoprotein. 



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