International Journal of Cell Cloning, Vol 4, 320-330, Copyright © 1986 by AlphaMed Press
Effect of absolute and relative changes of hematocrit on erythropoiesis in mice
M Misago, S Chiba, M Kikuchi, J Tsukada and H Suzuki
The serial changes of peripheral reticulocytes and marrow erythroid
progenitor cells (CFU-e) in mice were monitored under the conditions of
absolute or relative changes in red cell mass to study the regulatory
mechanism of erythropoiesis. A decreased number of marrow CFU-e and
peripheral reticulocytes was observed in the mice with relative
polycythemia induced by dehydration as well as in the mice with absolute
polycythemia induced by hypertransfusion. On the other hand, a transient
increase in the number of marrow CFU-e followed by a gradual increase in
the number of peripheral reticulocytes was seen after a considerable amount
of exsanguination. Similar stimulatory effects on marrow CFU-e were also
observed either by rehydrating the dehydrated mice or by overhydrating the
untreated mice to relatively decrease the level of hematocrit. The results
suggested that in addition to factors relating to the balance between
oxygen supply and requirement, which has been well known, erythropoiesis is
greatly affected by hematocrit.
