Changes in immunological characteristics of summer crew during a short term expedition to Antarctica

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of extreme climatic conditions and isolation on levels of pre-selected immunological parameters in humans. This article describes changes in immunological parameters measured in members of the 9th Czech Antarctic Scientific Expedition during their field work in Antarctica in summer time. The total of 15 sera samples were collected in the morning shortly before the expedition, the second collection was proved in the middle and the third in the end of stay at the Czech Polar station (Mendel station). The statistically significant difference appeared in eight of 11 parameters, from which the value of C3, C4, IgA, and number of monocytes decreased; level of IgG and number of non segmented neutrophils increased. The difference was showed also in the middle of stay, when the level of IgM, number of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the first part of stay decreased, in the second increased. The way of life in the station, physical performance and extreme climatic condition, probably positively affected the results of some studied immunological parameters.