The Relationship between Erythrocyte Volume and Cell Age in Humans and Baboons.
Abstract
The relationship of red blood cell size to age during steady-state hematopoiesis has been studied using erythrocytes separated on the basis of size using counterflow centrifugation. The ratio of the age-related enzyme, erythrocyte glutamic oxaloacetic transferase (EGOT), to hemoglobin (Hb) increased progressively through the fractions, suggesting a correlation between erythrocyte volume and age. Reticulocytes, while present in all fractions, were selectively enriched in the larger subpopulations. To verify the biochemical evidence that erythrocytes decrease in volume with aging, in vivo cohort labeling of red blood cells with 59Fe was performed in baboons. A similar relationship of EGOT to Hb was observed to that in the human subpopulations. While a certain amount of erythrocyte volume heterogeneity seems to be present as a result of erythropoeisis, our data support the hypothesis that red blood cells decrease in volume as they age.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 30, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA140365
Entities
People
- A. J. Melaragno
- C. B. Thompson
- C. R. Valeri
- R. L. Galli
Organizations
- Boston University