Studies on the erythropoietic cell system in CBA mice after Rauscher virus infection.

Erythropoiesis in CBA mice was studied in Rauscher leukemia virus infected mice using the incorporation of 59Fe into spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Beginning at day 4 an increased uptake into the spleen and a decrease in the bone marrow and the peripheral blood was observed. The increased uptake by the spleen was also found in plethoric mice. The erythropoietin responsive compartment was also enlarged in the spleen of these mice. The The dose-response-curve for erythropoietin was altered 4 days after infection, there was a higher background level of 59Fe incorporation and the response to low doses was better in infected animals. The reticulocytopenia which is usually seen in these mice, was overcome by administration of high doses of erythropoietin. It is concluded that the Rauscher virus acts in a similar manner to erythropoietin, but the erythropoiesis induced is ineffective since the cells do not mature. This maturation deficiency is influenced by administration of exogenous erythropoietin.