The effect of Skylab on the chemical composition of saliva.

The levels of specific proteins and electrolytes in stimulated whole saliva were monitored in Skylab crew members before and after each mission. With few exceptions, mission-associated compositional changes in saliva were relatively minimal. There were no changes in(formula see text), Cl-, albumin, or IgG concentrations. There were slight decreases in total protein coinciding with moderate saliva flow rate increases immediately before and after each flight. Other changes included diminutions in Na+ and lysozyme, and elevations in Mg++ and IgA. The IgA increase was the most pronounced mission-associated change observed.