Effect of protein deprivation on extrarenal erythropoietin production

The production of erythropoietin by rats fed a protein-deficient diet is markedly decreased. This defect can be rapidly reversed by feeding protein. In the reported experiments we investigated the effect of protein deficiency on the extra-renal production of erythropoietin. The results indicate that the production of erythropoietin in nephrectomized animals is insensitive to protein depletion.