matopoietic progenitor cells where it maintains RBC production.What evidence is there that people take erythropoietin? There are two current tests for EPO abuse. Prior to these however was a Haematocrit count. If the count was too high then the athlete in question would not be allowed to compete, but there would be no ban, as the test didn’t actually prove that they were taking an illegal substance. The first of the current tests is to check the urine for recombinant EPO (an artificial type made by drug companies). This can easily be overcome by stopping the administration of EPO two or three weeks prior to competition. This way, the high levels of EPO will be out of the system, yet the large benefits of it will last for a number of months.The other test is a blood test. EPO injections produce high quantities of immature RBC’s in the blood, but again this can be over come by knowing how long it takes the immature cells to mature and stopping the injections enough in advance of the competition.The way around this is obviously random testing out with the events, but this is not always viable.What is the rationale that leads people to take it? Athletes use erythropoietin to stimulate erythropoiesis, Until now, detection was a problem because erythropoietin is normally found in urine, and blood-sample analyses indicate only that erythropoiesis had been stimulated, not that drug use is to blame. EPO regulates erythropoiesis, keeping the packed-cell volume within a narrow range. Muscles of elite athletes need a lot of oxygen. A higher packed-cell volume can be achieved by injecting EPO. A higher packed-cell volume increases delivery of oxygen to tissues and enhances performance during competitions that require stamina, such as long-distance cycling and cross-country skiing. Theoretically, a person could continue indefinitely to increase his/her work rate and remain in an aerobic state as long as the blood can continue t...
