Abstract
The anemia of protein deprivation is due mainly to a decrease in erythropoietin (Ep) production. In this study we investigated the effect of protein deprivation on the number of erythroid stem cells (CFU-E, BFU-E). Mice given a protein-free diet for six days had significantly fewer CFU-E and BFU-E numbers per femur compared to mice given a diet with normal protein content. The decrease in BFU-E cannot be ascribed solely to decreased Ep production and occurs before changes in the femoral multipotential haematopoietic stem cells (CFU-S).