A recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) was administered intravenously at dosage levels of 0, 100, 500, and 2500IU/kg/day for a period of 3 weeks. There were no observed clinical signs and deaths related to treatment in all groups tested. Decreases in body weight gain and food consumption were observed only in males of 2,5000IU/kg group after 2 weeks. In hematological parameters, erythrocyte content, hematocrit values and hemoglobin concentration were dose- dependently increased in rHuEPO treated groups. The ratio between kidney weight and whole body weight was significantly increased in females of 500 and 2,500IU/kg groups. The spleen weight was also increased in both sexes of 500 and 2,500IU/kg groups. However, the absolute weight change of other organs was not observed. In histopathological examinations, the renal tubular basophilia was observed only in males and females of 2,500IU/kg groups. From these results, it is concluded that the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of rHuEPO is 100 IU/kg in rats in the present study.