ENHANCED ERYTHROID BURST FORMATION IN MICE AFTER TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT

A single administration of testosterone propionate (TP) in ex-hypoxic polycythemic mice induces, at 24 h after androgen, an amplification of the erythroid burst-forming unit (BFU-E or B) pool in marrow. This henomenon is not associated with an amplification of the erythroid colony-forming unit (CFU-E or E) compartment and is followed by its depletion. The 36-48 h rise of erythropoietin (Ep) levels in serum is followed by a 60 h amplification of the E pool. The latter phenomenon may be mediated by enhanced Ep production, whereas the early amplification of the B compartment may derive from a direct influence of TP at the stem cell level.