The erythropoietic effect, in mice, of androgens combined with hypoxia.

Progressively higher levels of erythrocytosis were observed in female mice residing at simulated altitudes of 9, 12, and 18 thousand feet. Administration of testosterone enhanced red-cell production in female mice under all but the most severe hypoxic conditions. The spleen contributed to the extent of erythropoiesis produced by hypoxia and by the combination of hypoxia and androgen, but this extramedullary site of red-cell formation was not necessary for erythrocytosis to occur. As little as 0.1 mg of testosterone enanthate weekly had an erythropoietic effect in female mice residing at 12,000 feet. Normal male mice also responded to hypoxia, but did not demonstrate a further erythropoietic effect in response to the concurrent administration of androgen.