SLC40A1 and Splenomegaly: The observed decrease in splenic ferroportin protein content could possibly be related to splenomegaly (731 ± 185 mg in the iron-deficient group vs. 472 ± 93 mg in controls) induced by the low iron diet as a response to iron-deficient erythropoiesis (hematocrit 43 ± 1% in the control group and 39 ± 1% in the iron-deficient group).