Effective Erythropoiesis Induced by 5β-Pregnane-3β-Hydroxy-20-One in Squirrel Monkeys

Emmanuel C. Besa; Dov Gorshein; William A. Hait; Frank H. Gardner

doi:10.1172/JCI107415

Effective Erythropoiesis Induced by 5β-Pregnane-3β-Hydroxy-20-One in Squirrel Monkeys

Emmanuel C. Besa, Dov Gorshein, William A. Hait, and Frank H. Gardner

Published September 1, 1973 - More info

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Abstract

The erythropoietic effect of 5β-pregnane-3β-hydroxy-20-one, a naturally occurring steroid metabolite of progesterone, was evaluated in the squirrel monkey by ferrokinetic studies. red cell survival, and blood volume measurements. The intramuscular administration of this steroid in pharmacologic doses shortened the ⁵⁹Fe plasma clearance and increased the plasma iron turnover, thereby indicating an increase in erythropoiesis. A normal ⁵⁹Fe red cell uptake was observed, and the bone marrow maturation time was not altered. Red cell survival was the same in the treated and control groups. After five weekly injections of the steroid, the monkeys increased their red cell mass by 57%. A significant increase in white blood cells and a slight elevation of platelet counts in the treated monkeys also suggest a possible direct stimulation of hemopoietic stem cells by the steroid metabolite.

These observations indicate that some steroid metabolites can stimulate an early increase in iron turnover (within 48 h) that is not secondary to hemolysis. The increased red cell mass indicates effective erythropoiesis in primates.