GC: n
S: CC (last access: 9 November 2025); NCBI (last access: 9 November 2025).
N: 1. From Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός (eruthrós, “red”) and ποιητής (poiētḗs, “creator, maker”) and -in.
- The first known use of erythropoietin was in 1948.
- a glycoprotein hormone formed especially in the kidney and stimulating red blood cell formation.
2. erythropoietin, hormone produced largely in the kidneys that influences the rate of production of red blood cells (erythrocytes). When the number of circulating red cells decreases or when the oxygen transported by the blood diminishes, an unidentified sensor detects the change, and the production of erythropoietin is increased. This substance is then transported through the plasma to the bone marrow, where it accelerates the production of red cells.
3. The erythropoietin mechanism operates like a thermostat, increasing or decreasing the rate of red cell production in accordance with need. When a person who has lived at high altitude moves to a sea level environment, production of erythropoietin is suppressed, the rate of red cell production declines, and the red cell count falls until the normal sea level value is achieved. With the loss of one pint of blood, the erythropoietin mechanism is activated, red cell production is enhanced, and within a few weeks the number of circulating red cells has been restored to the normal value. The precision of control is extraordinary so that the number of new red cells produced accurately compensates for the number of cells lost or destroyed.
4. Hormones; Immunology; Biochemistry; Physical Education, Coaching and Sport Psychology: erythropoietin, EPO, Epogen, Procrit
- A glycoprotein hormone synthesized mainly in the kidneys and released into the bloodstream in response to anorexia.
- The hormone acts to stimulate and to regulate the production of erythrocytes and is thus able to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
- Erythropoietin (EPO, Epogen, Procrit) Classification: Red blood cell growth stimulator, hematinic FDA approved 12/31/90 for treatment of anemia related to AZT therapy in HIV infection.
- Doping control. [EPO as an endurance-enhancing drug]. EPO, which enhances endurance by boosting the production of oxygen-rich red blood cells in the body, is believed widely used by athletes in endurance sports such as long-distance running, swimming and cycling, and was at the center of a scandal at the Tour de France two years ago [1998].
5. Cultural Interrelation: We can mention Erythropoietin doping in cycling: lack of evidence for efficacy and a negative risk–benefit.
S: 1. Wiktionary (last access: 9 November 2025); MW (last access: 9 November 2025). 2 & 3. EncBrit (last access: 9 November 2025). 4. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 9 November 2025). 5. NCBI (last access: 9 November 2025).
SYN: recombinant erythropoietin, renal erythropoietin factor, hemopoietin.
S: GDT/VL (last access: 9 November 2025)
