Photoinduced changes in subcellular structures of the retinal pigment epithelium from the Japanese quail Coturnix japonica.

Fifteen-week-old sexually mature female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) grown under various lighting conditions were used in the study. It was found that the number of mitochondria and phagosomes was increased by 1.5-fold in the retinal pigment epithelium from birds reared for 95 days under blue light (440-470 nm) vs. reduced blue light component conditions. Also, it was found that egg production was increased by 15% in birds reared under blue light compared to other lightning conditions. Thus, we concluded that blue light conditions resulted in elevating metabolic activity and accelerating pace of life in Japanese quails. It is assumed that the blue light-induced effects are probably due to inhibition of melatonin synthesis.

[Embryogenesis of the Japanese quail in hypomagnetic conditions applied to deep space flights].

During future interplanetary flights and on the lunar base, astronauts and bioregenerative systems on the space ship will occur in an interplanetary magnetic field, which is much lower than the habitual geomagnetic field (GMF). It is known that hypomagnetic conditions have an adverse biological effect on human beings and other living systems. In our research the Japanese quail has been chosen as one of the possible elements of the bioregenerative live support system. The magnetic system--Helmholtz's coils--is used for compensation of GMF. The GMF in the center of Helmholtz's coils was decreased to 80-100 times. The eggs were kept under hypomagnetic conditions for 4 and 10 days in a special nonmagnetic incubator. The experiments have demonstrated a negative influence of hypomagnetic fields on the embryo development of the Japanese quail. One of the possible ways to solve the problem consists in installing special magnetic systems onboard the interplanetary ship and a lunar base. Evidently, it is necessary to create an analogue of GMF for bioregenerative live support systems.

[Development of paste-type food for experiments with mice onboard unmanned spacecrafts].

One of the crucial issues of handling animals in space flight is availability of food and water supply systems. However, water supply for animal experiments onboard unmanned spacecrafts is a particularly formidable problem. To maintain laboratory mice in space flight, a paste-type food was formulated on the basis of the standard extruded combined food for laboratory rodents (PK-120) with a 18.3% wet protein content and moisture raised to 68%. Food manufacturing technology for rodents reproduces essentially the one for quails that had shown good advantages in an experiment with adult birds aboard orbital complex Mir. The proposed food was tested with white laboratory mice (males and females) of mature 37-d age. According to the data of blood clinical analysis and visceral organs morphology investigations, feeding with the paste-type food without additional water over 21 days did not change the life weight of mice or food digestibility and availability. These biological test results gave go to feed mice in the Bion-M1 and synchronous ground experiments with the paste-type food.

[Spinal marrow development in Japanese quail embryos and chicklings in the spaceflight environment].

Results of studying spinal marrow histogenesis in age varying Japanese quail embryos and chicklings whose embryonic development took place in microgravity are presented. Histological comparison of spinal cords showed retardation of morphogenetic development, lumber spine especially, in the group of flight embryos manifested as incomplete proliferative activity during migration processes and nervous cell differentiation. Like on earth, in space microgravity chicklings also hatched on day 17 of embryogenesis. Multiform marrow changes in space chicklings were a nervous cells reaction to the functional state of organism in the micro-g environment.

[Early bone and cartilage histogenesis in embryonic Japanese quails in the conditions of microgravity].

The article presents the results of a comparative histological investigation of skeletal bones genesis in Japanese quail embryos developed in the spaceflight microgravity (space group) and laboratory (control group). Total preparations of 4-day-old embryos from both groups demonstrated clearly that the cartilaginous anlage of the femoral bone had central, dyaphisial, 2 epiphysial and 2 proliferation zones. By day 7 of embryogenesis, cartilaginous anlages had grown in size in both groups due to intensive chondrocytes multiplication and gain in the intercellular substance mass. Tibial cuff in space embryos measured half and femoral cuff was 2.3 times smaller in comparison with these parameters in the control group. In addition, intensity of chondrocyte multiplication was reduced Histological profiles of the femur and tibia in 10-day old embryos of the control pointed to enhancement of osteogenesis. The metaphysis zone contained distinct mitosis figures on different stages of division. Bone deposition could be seen below the peristoma. The osteogenesis cuff spread up to the femoral anlage metaphysis; cartilage was calcined. Space embryos display retard osteogenesis. There were ingrown blood vessels in the region of cartilage destruction; however, vessels grown in the periosteum were less in number as compared with the laboratory control. Also, the perichondral ossification layer was considerably thinner, whereas the osseous cuff was 1.3 and 1.45 times shorter in the femur and tibia, respectively. To sum up, the histological investigation of bones from 4-, 7- and 10- day old Japanese quail embryos demonstrated retardation of osteogenesis in the conditions of microgravity.

[Dynamics of calcium utilization for skeleton formation in Japanese quail embryos under the microgravity condition].

Tibia and femur osteogenesis was studied in embryonic lower limbs developed in microgravity. The maximal difference in ash content of shell in the flight and control groups was registered on days 4, 10 and 14 amounting to 10.27; 9.56 and 12.95% respectively. Shell analysis for calcium showed the largest difference between the groups on day 4 (8.94 mg). However, this difference was not seen already on days 14 and 16. Hence, according to the results of the investigation, although shell calcium utilization and osteogenesis in flight embryos of the Japanese quail were retarded, by the time of hatching the morphological and chemical parameters of the lower limb bones were essentially same as of the ground controls.

[Histogenesis of the liver of Japanese quail embryos developed in the conditions of microgravity].

The article reports the results of histogenetic studies of the liver extracted from Japanese quail embryos and hatchlings that had passed the embryonic and postnatal development in microgravity. Comparison of the liver from the flight and laboratory embryos showed identity of organogenesis and histogenesis processes in space and on Earth. However, it should be noted that early histogenetic development of the space embryo liver had been retarded which was concluded from an enlarged lumen in bile capillaries and loose arrangement of epithelium girders as compared with the control On day-10 post flight, the flight embryos exhibited liver induration through narrowing of sinusoids lumen. Haemopoietic zones became less numerous. By the end of embryonic development these histological differences of the flight and control liver disappeared essentially. Organogenesis and histogenesis of the liver obtained from the hatchlings that had spent 5 days in microgravity did not depart from the norm. However, inability of the birds to adapt to microgravity and ensuing starvation was the reason for dystrophic changes in the liver, venous congestion and increased histoleucocytic activity. All the liver changes faded away soon alter the hatchlings were settled in favorable life conditions

[Histogeny of the visceral organs of embryonic Japanese quails developed in the micro-g environment].

The paper reports the results of organogenic and histogenic investigations of the visceral organs of embryonic Japanese quails incubated in the microgravity aboard orbital complex Mir. Investigations of the gastrointestinal tract failed to reveal macrodeviations in the organs' structure, differentiation of layers or cells along the full length of the entodermal canal. However, comparison with the ground controls exhibited poor development of stromal connective tissues in the flight embryos evidencing loose arrangement and small number of fibers. Local hyperplasia in the duodenal epithelium was due to the proliferation rather than differentiation processes; it could affect food intake and parietal digestion in the flight chicks. Though the Japanese quail embryos developed in space microgravity had some deviations, their digestic apparatus was mature to uptake and assimilate food.

[Handling and maintenance of gerbils during the spacecraft Foton-M3 mission].

Pressurized low-sized module Kontur with an independent life support system (LSS) was developed by the Institute of Biomedical Problems cooperatively with the Special Design Bureau of Experimental Equipment to house gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) aboard robotic technology-purpose spacecraft. Design of the module precludes pollution of the environment The fully equipped module weighs 69 kg; average daily power consumption is 62 watts. The environmental parameters for 12 animals flown on Foton-M3 in the period of September 14-26, 2007 were controlled within the following ranges: pO2 - 143-156 mm Hg, (mean 150 mm Hg), pCO2 - 0.76 mm Hg maximum (mean 0.64 mm Hg), temperature - 23-28 degrees C (mean 26.7 degrees C), relative humidity - 29% and 57% at the beginning and end of the flight, respectively (mean 39%). The animals consumed the palletized food prepared of natural products with a moisture content of approx. 20%. The day-night periods were 12 hrs. long. The daytime video recording of the animals went on continuously in the throughout the flight. The experiment showed that the module meets the requirements of experiments with mammals aboard returnable robotic spacecraft and piloted space stations. At the moment, the model is being redesigned for a 30-day BION-M1 mission.

[Effect of krypton-containing gas mixture on Japanese quail embryo development].

Investigated were effects of gas mixture with up to 3.0 kgs/cm2 of krypton on the embryonic development of domesticated Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica dom.). Results demonstrated absence of a serious krypton effect on Japanese quail embryos. Development of embryos proceeded in due course; morphometrically the experimental embryos were essentially similar to controls. It should be noted that despite exposure to acute hypoxic hypoxia during the initial 12 hours of development in the krypton-containing gas mixture, viability of quail embryos was high enough which can be ascribed to the krypton protective action. Besides, an additional experiment showed that krypton partial pressure of 5-5.5 kgs/cm2 produces the narcotic effect on adult Japanese quails.

[Biological systems of life support for space crews: some results and anticipations].

One of the challenges for space biology and medicine is resolution of lots of problems of biomedical support of humans in the extreme environment of space flight. These problems include also designing of robust and efficiently functioning life support systems (LSS). The paper gives an overview of the investigations of ground-based BLSS with human subjects conducted in Russia and other countries. Also, it contains the basic data of studying the BLSS photoautotrophic components (higher plants) in the series of experiments with the total duration of 630 days fulfilled on orbital complex Mir and the series of experiments with the total duration of 820 days in the ISS Russian segment. Analysis of the results from the BLSS investigations on Earth and in space flights drives to the conclusion that some of the BLSS components, greenhouses specifically, can be integrated even now into the currently used systems of space crew life support.

[Physiologically active argon-based gas mixtures as a means of creating fire-safe gaseous environments in pressurized modules of varying purpose].

Development of acute hypoxic hypoxia in consequence of fire in various pressurized modules was studied. The investigation was aimed to look into the effects of inert argon and dramatic oxygen reduction in gaseous environment on animals (Wistar rats, mice c57bl/6, balb/c and f1cbaxbalb/c hybrids, Japanese quail embryos) and microorganism (Escherichia coli strains k-12 jf 238 and k-12 jm 83). Also, inflammability of some widely used materials was assessed in order to provide inputs to developers of fire-safe gaseous mixtures for pressurized habitats. It was shown that argon is favorable to survivability of animals and to maintenance of a high level of oxygen consumption. Gaseous mixtures with oxygen content less than 15 volume % suppressed burning of selected materials. Results of the investigation offer possibilities for designing new hypoxic fire-safe gas mixtures that will provide adequate human performance and ensure survival in extreme situations.

[Development of chow for Mongolian gerbils suitable for the conditions of space flight].

One of formidable issues of experiments with animals in space flight is water supply. For Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), classed as cricetid rodents, water in chow is enough. These animals are a new object for space biology. Our purpose was to compose a full-value formula and design a chow making and long-term storage technology to provide Mongolian gerbils for in microgravity. The chow is required to have a 28-d shelf life. To assess the chow suitability on autonomous space fight, the gerbils we house in a cage with the geometry reproducing the current design of the future space animal module. The assessment was performed with adult male gerbils weighing 50.5 +/- 3.4 g on the average. The animals ate up 40.1 +/- 3.9%, i.e. less than 50% of the feed all through the period of experiment. However, by the end of the experiment the body mass and exterior remained essentially unchanged In was concluded that the chow formula can be prescribed to Mongolian gerbils housed in self-contained modules.

[Effect of hypoxic argon-containing gas mixtures on developing organism].

Experimental data on the impact of argon-containing hypoxic breathing mixtures on the early embryonic growth of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica dom.) are presented. The results showed that after 4-day incubation of eggs in an oxygen-nitrogen breathing mixture (13.8-15.0% O2, 86.2-85.0% N2) only 16.7% embryos reached the stage of 3.5-d development. Introduction in the hypoxic mixture of argon (55% of the total volume) increased the number of embryos on the stage of 3.5-4 day of normal morphological development to 60%. It became evident from the analysis that embryos developed in the O2-Ar-N2 hypoxic mixture had 25% less pathologies as compared with embryos developed in a largely nitrogen-containing gas mixture. Hence, we received the experimental evidence that 55% of argon in a hypoxic breathing mixture with up to 15% of oxygen is favorable to the early embryonic growth of Japanese quail stimulating metabolic processes in germ organism.

[Effect of chronic exposure to low doses of ionized radiation on embryonal development of the Japanese quail].

Experiments on Japanese quail embryogenesis on a background of chronic exposure to gamma- and neutron doses comparable with the doses of ionized radiation inside the orbital space stations Mir and ISS, and exploration vehicles gave evidence that permanent absorption of low gamma-doses (0,15 cgy/d) did not impact development of the Japanese quail embryos. On the contrary, the neutron dose of 200 microgy/d imparted by the neutron flux of 30 particles/cm2s was hazardous to embryos as it caused morphological disorders in 12% of embryos.

[Impact of hypoxic gas mixtures on embryogenesis of the Japanese quail].

Avian embryogenesis is of great interest to investigators, as the germ developing outside mother's body, is capable to react briskly to any alteration in the outer world. The paper present experimental evidence of the impact of oxygen with physical and chemical properties modified by short-cycle no-heating adsorption (SNA) in a hypoxic gas mixture (10% O2) on the early embryogenesis of the Japanese quail. Low concentrations of oxygen are known to be a dramatically disturbing factor for embryo's morphology. It was demonstrated experimentally that four days before incubation bird are highly sensitive to oxygen deficiency which is responsible for developmental abnormalities. The use of SNA oxygen reduced the frequency of pathologies in the Japanese quail germs as compared with their controls incubated in gas environment containing medical oxygen generated by low-temperature rectification.

[Prenatal acoustic stimulation and feeding behavior of Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica)].

Effects of a prenatal rhythmic tone on behavior of Japanese quail chicks were studied on the next days after hatching. The acoustically stimulated chicks demonstrated a significantly more frequent following response, feeding reaction and comfortable behavior when hearing the tone as compared with their controls. Bandwidths stimulating this or another behavior were determined.

[Studies of the eating behavior of Japanese quail chicks in the early postnatal period].

Time of the eating reaction (response to video signals) and eating behavior shortly after hatching were studied in Japanese quail chicks whose embryonic development took place under normal or changed gravity. Chicks partially incubated in a changed gravity showed a much slower eating reaction when compared with the chicks the prenatal development of which occurred under the normal gravity. In the chicks incubated at 1 g and placed in individual cages immediately after dominating afferentation for the eating behavior was visual Observations in the study will be used as a basis for designing a technology for handling and maintenance of hatchlings of the Japanese quail as a potential heterotrophic component of space life support systems.

[Thyroid gland development in Japanese quail embryos incubating in microgravity]. / Razvitie shchitovidnoi zhelezy u émbrionov iaponskogo perepela, inkubirovannykh v usloviiakh mikrogravitatsii.

The investigation of the progress of thyroid prenatal development in the Japanese quail has been first performed in the MIR microgravity environment. Development of thyroid glands in control and flight embryos was shown to pass same stages (trabecular and follicular). However, the flight embryos demonstrated retarded a development of the gland as compared to the control one. Slowing-down of thyroid organogenesis in the flight embryos is evidently related to retardation in formation of their blood system and a consequent decrease in blood inflow to the thyroid microcirculatory bed.

[The effect of argon-containing hypoxic gas environment on development of Japanese quail embryos]. / Vozdeistvie argon-soderzhashchikh gipoksicheskikh gazovykh sred na razvitie émbrionov iaponskogo perepela.

In case of acute hypoxic hypoxia argon in the gas environment is favorable to survivability of laboratory animals (rats). Our purpose was to evaluate effects of an argon-containing hypoxic gas environment on embryogenesis of the Japanese quail (Cortunix cortunix japonica). Eggs of the Japanese quail were incubated in a pressurized chamber with a hypoxic gas environment differing in concentration of nitrogen and argon. In hypoxic (10% O2) oxygen-nitrogen and oxygen-nitrogen-argon atmospheres total mortality of embryos was observed no later than on day 7 of development. These gas mixtures also had a teratogenic effect. However, about 55% of argon in atmosphere prevented completely microcephalia and reduced in half incidence of other pathologies.