Observations on the in vivo aging of red cells in the rat.

Aging of rat erythrocytes was studied in vivo by two experimental models. In the first, a single cohort of erythrocytes labelled with radioiron was followed; in the second, sequential hypertransfusions were employed to obtain a defined red cell population, which was continuously transferred from host to host. The results are compatible with a normal red cell life span of about 60 days and with sequestration of senescent erythrocytes in the spleen and in the liver. Red cell aging was associated with a decline in cell volume, haemoglobin, G6PD and ATP content. There were no measureable changes in osmotic fragility. Thus, changes in osmotic resistance do not appear to be critical factors limiting the life span of circulating erythrocytes in the rat.