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

Some researchers say xenon increases production of a protein called erythropoietin that fights hypoxia, a condition that occurs when the body can't get enough oxygen.

From BBC • May 21, 2025

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

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2024

Adults’ kidneys churn out erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates formation of new red blood cells, and the yolk sac appears to be the early embryo’s source for the substance.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 16, 2023

Other hormones that are used to enhance athletic performance include erythropoietin, which triggers the production of red blood cells, and human growth hormone, which can help in building muscle mass.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Semenza and Ratcliffe studied the regulation of a hormone called erythropoietin, which is crucial for stimulating red blood cell production in response to low oxygen.

From Nature • Oct. 6, 2019