Humans are exposed daily to the deleterious effects of acute environmental stressors. Experimental research can provide solutions to the problems of protecting human life in adverse environments. However, it is not always possible or practical to employ human subjects when exploring acute or extreme conditions. Consequently, an applied nonhuman model may provide the best substitute for human subjects to assess the environmental impact. The model must be able to be evaluated and respond validly and reliably to the stressor. / In this study, a primate model was assessed during cold stress that conceivably may be encountered by civilian or military workers. Specifically, two of the hormones responsible for fluid shifts in the body during acute cold exposure and their relationships to urine output and body temperatures were studied in five male adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Plasma concentrations of vasopressin and norepinephrine were measured before, during (every 30 minutes), and after 2 hours at 6 and 26$\sp\circ$C. Urine volume and sodium and potassium concentrations were also determined. The monkeys did not exhibit diuresis or natriuresis during the exposure. Plasma vasopressin and norepinephrine increased significantly (p $<$ 0.05) during cold exposure. These data suggest that both vasopressin and norepinephrine are important in the body fluid response of the rhesus monkey during acute cold stress. It appeared that vasopressin may be the dominant hormone because of the antidiuretic effect observed. Norepinephrine did not induce a diuretic effect. This response is contradictory to previous works with other animals and humans. Despite these results, the rhesus monkey appeared to be suitable for examining the effects of cold at rest under controlled environmental conditions. However, data from cold research with this primate model may not extrapolate to humans or other animals. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-03, Section: B, page: 1549. / Major Professor: Emily Haymes. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1996.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77683 |
| Contributors | Meyer, Lloyd Garth., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 141 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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