Effects of estrogen on erythropoiesis and granuloid progenitor cell (CFU-C) proliferation in mice
Adler, S.S.; Trobough, F.E.
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 91(6): 960-968
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-2143 PMID: 650060 Document Number: 130480
The effect in mice of pharmacologic doses of estrogen on hemopoiesis was studied during the administration and after cessation of injections of 50 .mu.g of estrone in oil thrice weekly for 4 wk. Packed red cell volumes, white blood cell counts, marrow cellularity and spleen weights; blood, spleen and marrow 59Fe uptake; and marrow and spleen CFU-C were evaluated weekly from day 0 through day 42, i.e., until 17 days after the last estrogen injection. The mice became leukopenic but not anemic; marrow cellularity, 59Fe uptake and CFU-C concentration and total content declined markedly in the femurs by the 1st wk; of these, only marrow CFU-C concentration began to recuperate during the 2 wk after the cessation of estrogen therapy. Splenic weight, 59Fe uptake and CFU-C increased during estrogen therapy. Splenic CFU-C content increased about 2-fold during the period of estrogen therapy and 10-fold by day 17 after cessation of estrogen treatment. Estrogen probably directly suppresses CFU-C production or proliferation in addition to altering the hemopoietic supportive microenvironment. CFU-C are probably not as sensitive to the long-term suppressive effects of estrogens (perhaps mediated via microenvironmental changes) as are CFU-S or erythropoietic elements. CFU-C are quite sensitive to the direct inhibitory effects of estrogens.