Skeletal Development in Embryonic Quail

Results

Further Results

Controls and Constants

" No space flight effects were observed for osteocalcin levels in the day 12 embryos, based on bone matrix stating. However, direct mineralization quantitative studies have not been reported for day 7 and day 12 embryos, which should provide definitive evidence for whether osteocalcin-associated processes are affected."

Controls:bone-loss mineralization

Constants: Humidity, Oxygen concentration

" The second finding was that the space flight embryos on the spinning carousel or stationary carousel had a reduced level of collagen-synthesizng activity as compared to ground control specimens, although the sample size was small. These insights might be important for the development of appropriate countermeasures for space travel."

Benefits on Earth

Conclusions

On Earth: "Significant populations of elderly adults suffer from loss of bone material due to the onset of osteoporosis. There are no medical interventions that stimulate bone formation, so the only treatments available aim at preventing loss of the bone material that already exists in the skeleton.

The results of this experiment show that there has to be appropriate countermeasures for space travel. The countermeasures mean the bone mineralization that is lost.

Benefits in Space

In Space:"It is a known fact that astronauts lose bone material soon after they enter the weightless environment of space. This loss in bone material is very similar to osteoporosis, which is observed in elderly population. The loss of bone material poses a significant health risk because the astronauts bone weaken and become more susceptible to breakage."

Who Benefits?

From this experiment, the person or people that benefit by it are the astronauts because the results help to develop the appropriate bone-loss countermeasures for the astronauts.

IV and DV

IV: Microgravity

DV: Bird embryos

Procedure part 2

Observations

Skeletal Development of a Embryonic Quail

By: Sophia Kopicki

5. The ADF provided all life support subsystems for the developing embryos.

6. The ADF maintained temperature between at 37 degrees C, controlled relative humidity, adjusted the oxygen concentration to 21% during incubation,and removed carbon dioxide to provide the optimal incubation environment.

7. ADF injected a set of pre-selected eggs with a fixative to preserve the embryo at a specific development stage.

Researchers noticed there was no effect on the bone mineralization in day 12 embryos, which the researchers found that space did not affect the mineralization in the older embryos.

Procedure

Question

1. Set the first carousel to independently spin to simulate gravity on earth.

2. Keep the second carousel remaining in stationary to expose the eggs to microgravity.

3. Each of the egg holders on the carousels should be programmed to rotate 180 degrees to simulate the natural egg.

How does the mechanism of bone formation provide information on how to prevent bone loss in astronauts during long missions?

Materials

Purpose

- 36 egg holders

- 2 carousels

- life support subsystems

- incubators

The purpose of this experiment was to define the effects of spaceflight on embryonic skeletal development.