SERUM ENZYME STUDY 



231 



selected for the Sealab 11 study cannot be evaluated at this time. Currently available techniques 

 which permit stratification of some enzymes— hence offering a clue to the organ system involved- 

 could not be utilized during Sealab 11; hence our enzyme data are incomplete and permit little 

 interpretation. Nevertheless, it is certain that careful enzyme studies, together with the more 

 classical steroid and catecholamine determinations, should yield vital information in this impor- 

 tant field of severe environmental stress. 



HEMATOLOGICAL DATA 



For the purpose of obtaining necessary hematological data during the operation, venous 

 blood samples were drawn from three preselected team members of Team 1, and from two team 

 members of Team 2 (Fig. 99). Team 3 was not utilized for these particular studies. Samples 

 were taken at a frequency of at least every other day, and immediately transferred topside for 

 analysis. This transfer involved transport via a large pressure pot, with attendant difficulties 

 and inevitable loss of some samples. The total number of samples received intact, however, 

 was considered adequate for valid interpretation. 



SEPTEMBER 

 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 



50 



i45 

 40 



ir~T — r 



1 — I — I — I — I — r 



MID RANGE 



MEAN HEMATOCRIT TEAM 2 



Fig. 99. Sealab II, Team Z hematocrit 

 study (daily means) 



Basically, analysis of the blood samples fell into two categories: blood chemistry determin- 

 ations and conventional examination of the formed elements of the blood. 



The blood-chemistry determinations included non-protein-nitrogen and urea nitrogen values; 

 blood sugar; all serum electrolytes; calcium; phosphorus, and creatinine determinations; and, in 

 the case of team three, extensive carboxyhemoglobin and added carbon monoxide studies. 



The data obtained from the conventional examination of the formed elements of the blood 

 are discussed below. 



Red Blood Cells 



The red-blood-cell study for Teams 1 and 2 show very little of significance. The blood-cell 

 count remained within the normal range of 4 to 6 million cells per cubic millimeter, with an av- 

 erage count of approximately 4.5 million. Team I seemed to pealc at approximately nine days, 

 where Team 2 remained at about 4.5 million cells until day eight, when all values began to in- 

 crease toward five million. 



White Blood Cells 



The white-blood-cell study for Teams 1 and 2 fell well within normal limits, though falling 

 between mid and upper normal range limits. Except for one excursion above the upper normal 

 limit by one individual over a three-day period, all values for Team 2 samples fell within mid 

 to upper normal limits. 



