Which of the following hormones stimulates the proliferation of red blood cells in red bone marrow?

a) Hypothalamus: Oxytocin is synthesized by neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus, specifically in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. After production, it is transported down the axons of these neurons to the posterior pituitary gland, where it is stored and released into the bloodstream.

b) Somatic Nervous System: The somatic nervous system is part of the peripheral nervous system and controls voluntary skeletal muscle movements. It does not produce hormones and has no role in endocrine secretion.

c) Anterior Pituitary Gland: The anterior pituitary produces several hormones (like ACTH, GH, PRL, TSH, LH, and FSH), but oxytocin is not one of them. It is not produced by the anterior pituitary; instead, oxytocin is made in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary.

d) Posterior Pituitary Gland: While the posterior pituitary stores and releases oxytocin, it does not produce it. The production occurs in the hypothalamus, and the posterior pituitary acts as a storage and release site.

a) O−, O+, A−, A+: O−: Universal donor, safe. O+: Rh+ and no A or B antigens → acceptable. A−: Same ABO group, Rh−, safe. A+: Exact match. Safest.

b) A+ only: A+ is safe, but it’s too restrictive. The patient can safely receive A−, O+, and O− too.

c) A+, AB+: A+ is correct and safe. AB+ is not safe: it contains B antigens, which this patient’s plasma has anti-B antibodies against. This would cause a hemolytic transfusion reaction.

d) O− only: O− is the universal donor and always safe, but it’s too restrictive. A+ patients can also receive O+, A−, and A+ safely.