Role of the kidney in erythropoiesis

Abstract

RECENT observations in our laboratory indicate that the dynamic equilibrium of the erythron is controlled by the relationship of oxygen supply in the tissue to the demand for oxygen rather than by either alone. Conditions that reduce the demand for oxygen while the supply remains normal (acute starvation and the condition following hypophysectomy) and ones that increase the supply of oxygen while the demand remains normal (transfusion-induced polycythæmia and hyperoxia) all produce a profound decrease in erythropoiesis in rats. These animals give an exaggerated erythropoietic response to the injection of plasma rich in erythropoietin (anæmic plasma)1. © 1957 Nature Publishing Group.