In vitro synthesis of Fœtal and adult hæmoglobin by fœtal hæmatopoietic tissues

THE demonstration of a biochemical distinction between adult and fœtal forms of hæmoglobin (hæmoglobins A and F) has stimulated interest in their physiology and biochemistry¹. Little is known about the site of origin or conditions governing the production of these two hæmoglobins. It has been postulated that hæmoglobin A is synthesized in the bone marrow and that hæmoglobin F is produced principally in the liver and spleen^2,3. This theory corresponds well with the known sites of red cell production in the fœtus and in the adult². As a corollary, it has been proposed that hæmoglobin A and hæmoglobin F occur in separate red cells^2,4. Anoxia has been thought to increase the production of hæmoglobin F⁴. This report presents a study of the synthesis of hæmoglobins A and F by hæmatopoietic tissue from two white human fœtuses aged 17 and 9 weeks.