erythropoietin

[ ih-rith-roh-poi-i-tn, -poi-eet-n ]

noun

1. Biochemistry. a hormone that stimulates production of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the bone marrow, released in response to low levels of oxygen in the tissues.
2. a synthetic form of this hormone, used as a performance-enhancing drug.

erythropoietin

/ ɪˌrɪθrəʊpɔɪˈiːtɪn /

noun

1. a hormone, secreted by the kidney in response to low levels of oxygen in the tissues, that increases the rate of erythropoiesis. It has been used as a performance-enhancing drug for athletes and racehorses EPO

erythropoietin

/ ĭ-rĭth′rō-poi-ē′tĭn /

1. A glycoprotein hormone, secreted mostly by the kidneys in adults and the liver in children, that stimulates stem cells in the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythropoietin¹

First recorded in 1945–50; erythropoiet(ic) ( def ) + -in ²

Example Sentences

They called the theoretical hormone erythropoietin, or “red maker” in Greek.

From New York Times

It can help produce more of the natural hormone erythropoietin, or EPO, which has long been a doping product favored by endurance athletes.

From Seattle Times

He had returned a positive result for the banned substance erythropoietin.

From BBC

Last month, news broke that he faced a suspension from training after a sample of his urine tested positive for synthetic erythropoietin, or EPO, according to Australia’s antidoping agency.

From New York Times

The 28-year-old Kenya native admitted using recombinant erythropoietin at the race in Romania in September.

From Seattle Times