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erythropoietin| In biology, a naturally occurring hormone, secreted mainly by the kidneys in adults and the liver in children, that stimulates production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. It is released in response to a lowered percentage of oxygen in the blood reaching the kidneys, such as in anaemic subjects. Recombinant human erythropoietin is used therapeutically to treat the anaemia associated with chronic kidney failure. A synthetic version is sometimes used illegally by athletes in endurance sports as it increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. |
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