RECORDING HEART-RATE AND BLOOD-PRESSURE IN RATS DURING PARABOLIC FLIGHT

The way in which the cardiovascular system adapts to weightlessness is still under discussion. No data are yet available on the responses of rats during space flight, although this animal is commonly used in si mulation studies. We have designed and tested a protocol to study the short term responses of the cardiovascular system to weightlessness du ring parabolic flight. A telemetry system was used to measure heart ra te (HR) and blood pressure. It was possible to collect and record radi o-signals without any interference. Microgravity caused a reduction in HR, an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP, 7%), and a non-signif icant decrease in central venous pressure (CVP, 13%). The change in CV P was similar to the decrease observed in human space flight. This typ e of study may also be feasible for longer exposure of rats to microgr avity (space flight).