Interaction of the Erythrocyte-Stimulating Factor with Calorigenic Hormones

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Abstract
Female rats of the Long-Evans strain were hypophysectomized at 26 days of age. Forty-five days later, after the development of the posthypophysectomy anemia, they were injected with the erythrocyte-stimulating factor (obtained from human urine) (ESF) alone, and in combination with adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH), cortisol, thyrotrophin (TSH), L-thyroxine and growth hormone (GH) for 14 days. Normal rats of comparable age were also treated with ESF for the same period. Metabolic rate was determined on day 12 and red cell volume/100 g body wt (RCV) on day 15. ESF, at the highest dose employed (500 μg), restored RCV to normal in hypophysectomized rats but did not elevate it above normal except when administered for 25 days. In normal rats, ESF produced polycythemia at this dose; however, the percentage increase over control values was the same as in hypophysectomized rats. Of the various hormones tested individually, only ACTH and cortisol intensified the erythropoietic action of ESF. Cortisol gave the more marked effect, as evidenced by the induction of polycythemia. When low doses of ACTH, TSH and GH were combined with a low dose of ESF, polycythemia was also induced. Metabolic rate was not influenced by ESF alone or in combination with calorigenic hormones. It was concluded that the several erythropoietically active pituitary hormones and ESF interact in an additive manner to maintain normal erythropoiesis. Furthermore, the lack of influence of ESF on oxygen consumption suggested that it is the specific stimulus to the bone marrow. (Endocrinology75: 758, 1964)