Physiologists Conduct a Study to Evaluate Erythropoiesis in Various Age

Physiologists conduct a study to evaluate erythropoiesis in various age groups.  In one of the studies, healthy individuals who experience acute traumatic blood loss are enrolled.  They divide the patients in 2 groups: younger individuals with a mean age of 35 years and older adults with a mean age of 70.  These patients have normal iron, folic acid, vitamin B₁₂, and plasma protein studies.  Results indicate that older patients with acute traumatic blood loss have a much lower reticulocyte count and a much longer time to recovery to pretrauma hemoglobin level when compared to younger patients.  Which of the following age-related processes best explains the observed findings?

A) Decreased bone marrow mass
B) Decreased medullary cavity size
C) Decreased red blood cell life span
D) Increased extramedullary hematopoiesis
E) Increased marrow fibrous tissue

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