Recombinant Erythropoietin
(RH EPO)
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Found naturally in the body
Secreted by the kidneys
Regulates/Increases red blood cell
production
Definition: Naturally occurring
hormone which increases the body’s
ability to manufacture red blood cells
Recombinant Erythropoietin
(Rh EPO)
An artificial synthetic copy of EPO
It is injected and produces the same
results as blood doping
Increases red blood cell
production/haemoglobin levels
Raises O2 transport
Testing
EPO was believed to be widely used
in the 90s
A test was developed in 2000, which
could distinguish pharmaceutical EPO
from natural EPO
Testing
Procedures can now detect high
levels of red blood cells/haemoglobin
Intravenous fluids are used to dilate
blood prior to testing
WADA added these intravenous fluids
to the banned list
Testing difficulties
Some athletes have naturally high
concentrations
Unless all athletes’ normative values
are tested early in their careers, and
used as baseline values to measure
against.
CAUGHT
Evidence
All cyclists are drugs cheats