Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Competitive Transplants to Evaluate Hematopoietic Stem Cell Fitness
Published on: August 31, 2016
Decreased Cellularity and Hemosiderin of the Bone Marrow in Healthy and Overtrained Competitive Distance Runners
Abstract:
In brief: Fourteen healthy and seven overtrained competitive distance runners were studied to investigate the frequency and significance of decreased bone marrow cellularity (BMC) and bone marrow hemosiderin (BMH) and the relationship between BMC, BMH, hemoglobin, and serum ferritin levels. Bone marrow hypocellularity or mild hypocellularity was found in 54% of the healthy male runners. Hypocellular marrow was found in 66% of the overtrained male runners. Absence or severe reduction of BMH granules was found in all runners. The mean hemoglobin and serum ferritin values were normal but somewhat lower than those of a control group. There may be a direct relationship between decreased BMC and years of running.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Erythropoiesis
Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Overview of Hematopoiesis
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...

