AGE DISTRIBUTION OF ERYTHROCYTE POPULATION IN WOMEN WITH TWIN PREGNANCY

An evaluation of the age distribution of erythrocytes in twin gestatio n was performed. Based on previous studies on age distribution of eryt hrocytes in late pregnancy, we have proposed that a more pronounced sh ift in age distribution of erythrocytes in twin pregnancy may be expec ted. We have used the density distribution of cells method for evaluat ion of age distribution of erythrocytes in women with twin pregnancies . Control curves for pregnant and nonpregnant women were obtained from our recently published studies. The cumulative density distribution o f cells curve of erythrocytes of women with twin gestation was evident ly shifted to the right as compared with the curve of erythrocytes of women with single gestation. The shift in age distribution of erythroc ytes may suggest that erythrocytes in women with twin gestation have a shorter life span as compared to the life span of erythrocytes in wom en with singles. The age distribution shift of erythrocytes in women w ith twin gestation may be attributed to human placental lactogen augme ntation of erythropoietin action.