Dehydrogenase of regenerating red blood cells in phenylhydrazine anemia.

Dehydrogenase activities in red blood cells of rabbits made anemic with phenyihydrazinc were assayed. These assays were continued at the time of reticulocytosis and followed through the course of in vivo maturation of the reticulocytes to a younger erythrocyte population. Isocitric, glucose-6-phosphate, and 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenases were more active in the reticulocytes. Isocitric and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases were also more active in the younger red cell, compared to an average population. Lactic dehydrogenase activity was the same in the reticulocyte, young red cell, and the older red cell. The significance of these findings is discussed.