erythropoietin
Americannoun
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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.
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a synthetic form of this hormone, used as a performance-enhancing drug.
noun
Etymology
Origin of erythropoietin
First recorded in 1945–50; erythropoiet(ic) ( def. ) + -in 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.