How Red Blood Cells Are Made: Factors That Affect Erythropoiesis

How Red Blood Cells Are Made: Factors That Affect Erythropoiesis

Mention the factors affecting erythropoiesis.
Answer:

1. Erythropoiesis General factors:

1. Hypoxia:
   • Inadequate supply of O₂ to tissues causes stimulation of bone marrow to increase RBC production
2. Nutrients:
   • Carbohydrates required for energy supply.
   • Fats required for cell membrane.
   • Proteins – good quality of protein are required for the formation of haemoglobin.
3. Minerals:
   • Iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel-help in ‘haem” formation.
4. Vitamins:
   • Vit. C-Help in synthesis of nucleic acid.
   • Vit B, D and E are also required and its deficiency leads to anaemia.
5. Hormones:
6. Erythropoietin:
   1. It is most important general factor
      • It stimulates RBC production.
      • It is a glycoproteins.
      • Hypoxia stimulates its production and is secreted in kidney.
      • Actions:
      • Promotes production of proerythroblasts from stem cells.
      • Develops proerythroblast into matured RBCS
      • Releases matured erythrocytes into blood.
      • Increases ‘haem’ synthesis.
   2. Thyroxine:
      • Required for maintaining metabolism and maturation
   3. Sex hormones:
      • Androgens stimulates whereas oestrogens depress the formation and release of erythropoietin.

2. Maturation factors:

1. Vitamin B₁₂:
2. It is essential for maturation of erythrocytes and for synthesis of DNA.
3. Intrinsic factor of castle:
4. It is essential for the absorption of vitamin B₁₂ from intestine into the blood.
5. Folic acid:
6. It is essential for maturation and for the synthesis of DNA.
7. Its deficiency may lead to megaloblastic anaemia.