The Primary Reason Males Have a Higher Hematocrit Than Females

Question

The primary reason males have a higher hematocrit than females is because
A) males have more skeletal muscle.
B) males have larger livers.
C) males have longer blood vessels.
D) males have fewer white blood cells.
E) males have androgens.

Accepted Answer

The primary reason males have a higher hematocrit than females is because they have androgens, such as testosterone, which stimulate the production of erythropoietin from the kidneys. Erythropoietin, in turn, triggers the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, leading to an increase in hematocrit levels. Females have lower levels of androgens, which is why they generally have lower hematocrit levels than males.