Enhanced erythropoiesis in mice exposed to low environmental temperature

Abstract

SUMMARYHematopoietic responses to environmental factors are not fully characterized. Polycythemia has been reported during exposure to low temperatures in ectothermic animals. The relationship between the causes of polycythemia and erythropoiesis during low temperature exposure is not fully understood. In this study, we exposed C57BL/6 mice to 5°C and monitored the blood cell counts and erythropoiesis. The hematocrit level increased from 45.6 to 52.2% after 14days. Likewise, the hemoglobin concentration, initially 15.1gdl . The reticulocyte production index significantly increased from 4 to 8% after 7days. We examined the anatomy and cell composition of the spleens of the mice. On day5, the spleens were ~6mgg −1 of body mass, which was twofold greater than the spleens on day0. Flow cytometry showed fourfold more proerythroblasts on day5, compared with day0. Additionally, the number of late-stage mature erythroblasts increased on day14. Erythropoietin mRNA levels increased in the kidneys, and hypoxia-inducible genes were enhanced in the kidney. Our findings indicated that low ambient temperature is a novel erythropoietic stress, which induces polycythemia by enhanced erythropoiesis.

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