The role of erythropoietin, testosterone, and l-thyroxine in the tissue oxygen consumption and erythropoiesis of spotted munia, Lonchura punctulata

Abstract The effects of human urinary erythropoietin (Ep), testosterone (TP), and l -thyroxine (T 4 ) were examined separately and in combination on tissue (muscle, kidney, and liver) oxidative metabolism and erythropoiesis of the spotted munia, Lonchura punctulata . The stimulatory influence of Ep, T 4 , Ep + T 4 , TP + T 4 , and Ep + TP + T 4 on muscle, of T 4 , Ep + T 4 , and TP + T 4 on kidney, and of TP, TP + Ep, and TP + T 4 on liver oxygen uptake was observed. The number of red blood cells and the hemoglobin content were not influenced by T 4 or TP, but were increased by Ep and TP + T 4 . The erythrocyte number was decreased by Ep + TP and Ep + TP + T 4 .