A method of controlling red blood cell production includes contacting red blood cell precursors with a composition including zinc, a composition including an inhibitor of a zinc exporter protein, or a combination thereof； wherein the contacting promotes survival of the red blood cell precursors, promotes terminal differentiation of the red blood cell precursors to mature red blood cells, or a combination thereof； or contacting red blood cell precursors with a composition including a zinc chelator, a composition including an inhibitor of a zinc importer protein, or a combination thereof； wherein the contacting inhibits survival of the red blood cell precursors, inhibits terminal differentiation of the red blood cell precursors to mature red blood cells, or a combination thereof.
