ERTHROPOIETIN

Erythropoietin - Summary

Erythropoietin - Summary

Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys, whose function is to keep constant the concentration of red blood cells. Normally, red blood cells formed and destroyed at the same speed. However, if the kidney senses a decrease in circulating red blood cells release EPO to stimulate red blood cell production in bone marrow.

In the body of a healthy person, there are approximately 2.3 x 10 13 red blood cells. The lifetime of the erythrocyte is an average of 120 days. Consequently, the body constantly update should pool of red blood cells at a rate ...