Abstract
Group of 40 male and 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats were given daily intravenous injections of different dosage of Erythropoietin (EPO), 80 IU/ kg/day (low dosage group), 400 IU/ kg/day (middle dosage group), or 2000 IU /kg/day (high dosage group)for 4 weeks by tail vein according to Established Regulation of Korean National Institute of Safety Research (1994. 4. 14). Appearance, behavior, mortality, and food consumption of rats of treated groups were not affected during the experimental periods. No significant EPO (erythropoietin)-related changes were found in urinalysts, eye examination, hematology, serum chemistry, and organ weight. No histopathological lesions were observed in both control and treatment groups. Our results strongly suggest that no toxic changes were found in rat treated intravenously with EPO (erythropoietin)for 4 weeks.