Role of the kidney in erythropoiesis

¹ Department of Experimental Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas

There was a marked reduction in erythropoiesis and hemoglobin synthesis in the nephrectomized dog as compared to the normal intact animal even when azotemia was reduced to a low level by intermittent peritoneal lavage. Dogs with a ureterovenous anastomosis maintained in a similar manner showed a normal rate of erythropoiesis, as measured by radioiron uptake. It is concluded, therefore, that the kidney is the site of formation of an erythrocyte stimulating factor essential for the maintenance of normal erythropoiesis. That this factor is of humoral nature was demonstrated by the erythropoietic stimulating action of renal extracts.