Which peptide hormone is used by athletes to increase red blood cell production?

Which peptide hormone is used by athletes to increase red blood cell production?

• A. EPO
• B. HGH
• C. PEDs
• D. Beta blockers

Answer: (A)

Erythropoietin is the peptide hormone that increases red blood cell production. It’s released mainly by the kidneys when oxygen levels are low and signals the bone marrow to make more red blood cells, which boosts the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. Athletes may misuse it to improve endurance by delivering more oxygen to working muscles and delaying fatigue. The other options don’t directly raise red blood cell counts: growth hormone influences tissue growth, not erythropoiesis; PEDs is a broad category and not a specific hormone; beta blockers affect heart rate and tremor control rather than red blood cell production.

Erythropoietin is the peptide hormone that increases red blood cell production. It’s released mainly by the kidneys when oxygen levels are low and signals the bone marrow to make more red blood cells, which boosts the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. Athletes may misuse it to improve endurance by delivering more oxygen to working muscles and delaying fatigue. The other options don’t directly raise red blood cell counts: growth hormone influences tissue growth, not erythropoiesis; PEDs is a broad category and not a specific hormone; beta blockers affect heart rate and tremor control rather than red blood cell production.