The use of biochemical methods for detecting changes in cell population of rat bone marrow.

The in vitro incorporation of 14C-glycine into haem, and 35S-sulphate into macromolecules have been investigated as biochemical measurements with the potential to reflect the proportion of certain erythroid and myeloid cells within rat bone marrow. Erythroid hyperplasia caused an increase of haem synthesis and a concomitant decrease in 35S-sulphate incorporation. Erythroid hypoplasia reduced haem synthesis and increased 35S-sulphate incorporation. The measures of haem synthesis and 35S-sulphate incorporation thus provide useful tools for detecting specific changes in cell populations in rat bone marrow suspensions.