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

Radiats Biol Radioecol. 2014 Mar-Apr;54(2):179-85.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astronauts
  • Coturnix / embryology
  • Coturnix / growth & development*
  • Embryonic Development / radiation effects*
  • Humans
  • Magnetics
  • Space Flight*