THE INFLUENCE OF AGE AND SEX ON ERYTHROPOIETIN TITERS IN THE PLASMA AND TISSUE-HOMOGENATES OF HYPOXIC RATS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (5) , 472-477
Abstract
Experiments were performed to determine the erythropoietin (EP) content of homogenates of kidneys and livers of male and female rats of various ages. Homogenates were adjusted to a concentration of 4 g tissue/12 ml phosphate-buffered-saline, and the stimulus to Ep production consisted of exposure to 0.42 atm for 4 h. The concentration of Ep in kidneys of male rats was .apprx. 3 times that found in those of females and was contained predominantly in the cortical portion of the kidneys. Ep was not detectable in kidneys of rats < 3 wk of age and reached a maximum concentration after 4 wk of age. The Ep content of the liver was barely detectable regardless of the age of the rat or its plasma Ep titer, and did not increase significantly by administering angiotensin II or CCl4.