Mechanism of Testosterone Action in Erythropoiesis

Hormonal stimulation of erythropoietin production and erythropoiesis in anephric sheep fetuses.

“…This is in accord with reported observations that little, if any, transplacental passage of DT, L-T4, and Ep occurs in sheep (29,30). Stimulation of erythropoiesis in the adult by DT and L-T4 has been well documenited (21)(22)(23)(31)(32)(33)(34). Like the fetus, the erythropoietic response of the adult to these hormones is mediated by Ep (31,33,34).…”

“…It is now firmly established that the erythropoietic effect(s) of androgens is mediated, at least in part, through increased production of Ep (21)(22)(23). Studies employing nephrectomized adult animals have shown that this effect is dependent on the presence of kidneys (24).…”

Anemia of the Regular Hemodialysis Patient and its Treatment

“…In underdialyzed patients their action is less significant and unpredictable. The majority of the existing studies prove that the erythropoiesis-stimulating action of androgens is mediated by an increase in erythropoietin activity [33,45]; this also applies to the dialysis patient [31]. Considering these results one is inclined to ascribe the action of androgens in the bilaterally nephrectomized patient to an increase of extrarenal erythropoietin secretion.…”

Stimulatory Effects of Androgens on Normal Children’s Bone Marrow in Culture: Effects on BFU-E, CFU-E, and Uroporphyrinogen I Synthase Activity

“…In fact, the mechanism of action of androgens in improving hematopoiesis is still controversial [3,4]. Several investigators have demonstrated that steroids exert an ef fect on erythropoiesis either by stimulating the production of erythropoietin [5][6][7], or by exerting a direct effect on heme synthesis [8] and erythroid precursor cells [9][10][11][12].…”