The size of the bone marrow erythropoietic compartment in splenectomized mice

Abstract

The spleen has an important erythropoietic function in normal adult mice. Experiences were made to evaluate bone marrow erythropoiesis in splenectomized animals.

Data show that 120 days after splenectomy a mild anemia is still present and that both the stem cell and the differentiated compartments are unable to expand. Exposure to chronic hypoxia does not change these results.

It is inferred that bone marrow does not increase its erythropoietic rate despite the absence of the spleen, and that the relationship between these two organs in regard to the control of red blood cells production differs from that observed in other mammals including man.