erythropoietin

American  

[ih-rith-roh-poi-i-tn, -poi-eet-n] / ɪˌrɪθ roʊˈpɔɪ ɪ tn, -pɔɪˈit 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.

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erythropoietin British  

/ ɪˌrɪθrəʊpɔɪˈiːtɪn /

noun

1.  EPO.  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

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erythropoietin Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of erythropoietin

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

Example Sentences

Erythropoietin increases the activity of anorexigenic neurons, which makes it difficult for blood to circulate within the body.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Erythropoietin increases blood viscosity, which makes it difficult for blood to circulate within the body.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Erythropoietin decreases blood viscosity, which makes it difficult for blood to circulate within the body.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Erythropoietin, known as EPO, the drug that may cost Ms. Jeptoo her $500,000 World Marathon Majors winner’s check, increases the number of red blood cells carrying oxygen from your lungs to your working muscles.

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2014

Erythropoietin is usually the drug of choice for bloodless medicine because of its stimulative effect on red-blood-cell production.

From Time Magazine Archive