The in Vitro Synthesis of Hemoglobin by Human Bone Marrow in Thalassemia

1. A technic has been described for the in vitro measurement of hemoglobin synthesis by human bone marrow. The rate of synthesis of individual hemoglobins may be investigated in this system.

2. This technic has been used to measure the rate of synthesis of hemoglobin from patients with both thalassemia trait and thalassemia major. Hemoglobin A synthesis was found to be reduced in both, and to a greater extent in thalassemia major. An apparent increase in the rate of synthesis of hemoglobin F was also noted.