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Use of Animal Models for Space Flight Physiology Studies. G. Sonnenfeld, Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, USA. 

   Animal models have been used to study the effects of space flight on physiological systems.  The animal models have been used because of the limited availability of human subjects for studies to be carried out in space as well as because of the need to carry out experiments requiring samples and experimental conditions that cannot be performed using humans.  Experiments have been carried out in space using a variety of species.  These included rats, mice, non-human primates, fish, invertebrates and insects.  The species were chosen because they best fit the experimental conditions required for the experiments.  Experiments with animals have also been carried out utilizing  ground-based models that simulate some of the effects of exposure to space flight conditions.  Most of the animal studies have generated results that parallel the effects of space flight on physiological systems.  Systems studies have included the neurovestibular system, the musculoskeletal system, the immune system, the neurological system, the hematological system, and the cardiovascular system.  Although there are limitations to the use of animal models for the effects of space flight on physiological systems, the animal models should prove very valuable in designing countermeasures for exploration class missions of the future.  Funding for studies carried out in the author's laboratory  provided in part by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through NASA Cooperative Agreement NCC 9-58 with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute and the Amino Up Chemical Company (Sapporo, Japan).