What Does the Spleen Do?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
5. Produces Fetal Red Blood Cells
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the compound responsible for transporting oxygen to various parts of the body. Oxygen is important for breaking down glucose into the energy that the body needs to carry out its many functions.
While in the adult, red blood cells are produced in bone marrow; in a developing fetus, red blood cells are produced in the spleen. This means that the spleen is a critical organ in a developing fetus. However, after the fifth month of development when the bones are already developed, the spleen stops producing red blood cells and the function is taken over by the bone marrow.
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