Effects of prolonged centrifugation on growth and organ development of rats

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Abstract
Mature and weanling Sprague-Dawley female rats were centrifuged at 2.5, 3.5, and 4.7 g for periods of time ranging up to 1 year. The growth rates and final body weights of weanling rats were significantly lower than those of noncentrifuged control rats. Both mature and weanling rats experienced initially a temporary loss in body weight due to inanition and reduced food consumption. Comparison of organ-to-body weight ratios of 4.5-month and 1-year centrifuged rats with corresponding control rats indicated that prolonged exposures caused only a few changes. Relative weights of the adrenals of 4.5-month centrifuged rats were reduced, whereas the livers of 1-year centrifuged rats were increased. There was an apparent decrease in red blood cells and a significant decrease in hematocrit values of centrifuged rats. No histopathology was found in any of the centrifuged groups of rats which could be attributed to the exposure treatment. Results of this study show that rats are able to tolerate prolonged periods of simulated high-gravity environments with little, if any, serious deleterious effects.