Erythrocyte volume distribution during recovery from bone marrow arrest.

Abstract

Brecher and Stohlman1, Borsook et al.2, and Seno et al.3 have shown that macrocytosis results from erythropoietic stimulation by phenylhydrazine anaemia, bleeding or administration of erythropoietin. The macrocytic reticulocytes which result from skipped terminal division were shown to have a shortened life span and to be replaced by red cells of more normal size. This communication reports that radiation produces a similar macrocytosis in mice. We found during the experiment that the volume of mouse red cells decreases as they age.