Erythroblast

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Erythroblast is a type of immature red blood cell. It is produced in the bone marrow and then released into the bloodstream. Erythroblasts are essential for the production of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Production and Function[edit | edit source]

Erythroblasts are produced in the bone marrow through a process called erythropoiesis. This process is stimulated by the hormone erythropoietin, which is produced in the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels in the blood.

The primary function of erythroblasts is to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that binds to oxygen in the lungs and carries it to the rest of the body. Once an erythroblast has produced enough hemoglobin, it loses its nucleus and becomes a reticulocyte, which is the next stage in red blood cell development.

Disorders Involving Erythroblasts[edit | edit source]

There are several disorders that can affect the production and function of erythroblasts. These include:

  • Anemia: A condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues.
  • Polycythemia vera: A slow-growing blood cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells.
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes: A group of disorders caused by poorly formed blood cells or cells that do not work properly.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Erythroblast Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD