Erythrocyte production begins when stem cells, called hemocytoblasts, begin maturation processes. Some of these stem cells become myeloid progenitor cells, which later become erythrocytes, or mature red blood cells. The complete maturation process takes about 7 days. The stages of erythropoiesis are as follows.
This process is mainly driven and stimulated by a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO), which is released constantly at low levels from the kidneys. EPO secretion stimulates the bone marrow to maintain or regulate the rate of erythropoiesis. Kidney cells, more specifically renal interstitial peritubular cells, are even able to detect reductions in oxygen pressures in the blood, and in response, able to trigger EPO production and more red blood cell production as a result. Therefore, the organ in the body that regulates erythrocyte production is the kidney.
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