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Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) is a glycoprotein
hormone that stimulates erythropoiesis. This study was designed to
investigate the effects of rHuEpo on red blood cells (RBCs),
hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrite (Hc), reticulocytes and creatinine in
newborn, young, and adult rats. Three doses of rHuEpo (50, 100 and
200 IU/kg) were administrated to animals via subcutaneous injections,
twice a week for a period of six weeks. RBCs were counted using H1
autoanalyser. Hb, Hc, reticulocytes and creatinine contents of the
blood samples were determined. The data was analysed using one-way
ANOVA, Tukey test and paired samples. There werea dose dependent
increases in RBCs (2-12%), Hb (7-53%), Hc (5-49.6%) and creatinine
(11-14%). However, reticulocytes showed a dose dependent decrease
down to 2.1-6.3%. The maximum and minimum changes were
observed in newborn and young rats. The results suggest that rHuEpo
may affect hematopoietic stem cells and modify other progenitor cells
to erythroid progenitors. Subsequently, reticulocytes were
differentiated to RBCs. The kidney performance to excrete creatinine,
was also reduced under the influence of rHuEpo