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Title: Response of gonadectomized mice to erythropoietic stimulation

Journal Article · · J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7313468

Red blood cell production is regulated by humoral factors, in particular erythropoietin, acting on erythroid stem cells in the bone marrow. Higher red blood cell mass in males than in females has been attributed to erythropoietic stimulation by testosterone. The mechanism by which this stimulus occurs is not known. Estrogens generally inhibit erythropoietin production; however, estrogen-sensitized erythroid stem cells in female bone marrow are more sensitive to stimulation than are those in the male. Kinetics of erythropoiesis and responsiveness of castrated male mice to the stimulus of bleeding were investigated using radioiron (Fe 59) as a tracer. Positive erythropoietic response occurred 72 hours after bleeding. Specific activity of hemoglobin was the same in castrated as in normal males previously treated with erythropoietin. Kinetics of hemoglobin synthesis and red blood cell production apparently was not altered by castration. The early production of red cells and hemoglobin leaves doubt that testosterone is the sole regulator. Hemoglobin synthesis in the absence of testosterone suggests that it is not normally required. Possibly, a yet unidentified cholesterol metabolite, having neither estrogenic nor androgenic potencies could be an accessory erthropoietic agent.

OSTI ID:
7313468
Journal Information:
J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 91:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English