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

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

EPO - or erythropoietin - is a naturally occurring hormone.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 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

In mice and monkeys they showed7 that regular mRNA injections could boost production of erythropoietin, a hormone that is prescribed to treat some forms of anaemia.

From Nature • Jun. 2, 2015