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Erythropoiesis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Erythropoiesis is the process of erythrocyte - red blood cell - production. All erythrocytes are derived from the division and differentiation of a common stem cell precursor.

The site of erythropoiesis varies with developmental stage:

  • embryo (2.5mm): blood islands of yolk sac
  • embryo (5-7mm): liver and spleen
  • fetus (20 weeks): bone marrow takes over
  • prepuberty: medullary marrow of all bones
  • postpuberty: fatty yellow marrow replaces red marrow from the peripheries of bones
  • adult: erythropoiesis only in ribs, sternum, vertebrae, shoulder girdle, proximal femur and tibia

If the adult is chronically stressed, the sites of erythropoiesis may re-extend to involve both liver and spleen.

There are a number of factors controlling erythropoiesis. Erythropoietin is the key hormone.

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