Ruqayyah Snyder
Erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone produced by the kidney, is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency as it increases red blood cell production and enhances oxygen supply to muscles, thereby improving stamina. Australia, a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency, has been at the forefront of the fight against doping in sports. The country has established several initiatives to combat the use of banned substances, such as the Australian Sports Drug Agency and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA). EPO analysis can be challenging, with only eight experts worldwide qualified to interpret the results. This article will explore the illegality of EPO in Australia, the methods used to detect its use, and the country's efforts to eradicate doping in sports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is EPO | Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney and released into the blood when a reduction in oxygen is detected. |
| Why is it used | It stimulates the formation of new red blood cells from blood stem cells in the bone marrow (erythropoiesis). |
| Is it dangerous | Use of rEPO can be extremely dangerous without proper medical oversight and can increase the risk of death. |
| Is it prohibited | EPO is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency. |
| What happens if it is detected | In 2024, cyclist Jesse Ewart was imposed with a three-year period of ineligibility for the presence and/or use of EPO. |
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What You'll Learn
EPO is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). EPO is a hormone naturally produced in the kidneys and transported to the bone marrow via blood, where it stimulates and boosts the development of red blood cells. The body's production of EPO is stimulated by low oxygen levels (hypoxia). When cells in the kidneys sense there is sufficient oxygen in the blood, they reduce the production of EPO.
Athletes who want to improve their endurance may train at high-altitude locations or use altitude simulation devices to trick their bodies into thinking there is less oxygen and, therefore, start producing more EPO. This results in an increased number of red blood cells, enhancing the oxygen supply to the muscles and increasing stamina.
EPO has been banned in sport since the early 1990s, and its misuse is considered blood doping, a prohibited method of enhancing performance. EPO is part of a class of substances called Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs), which are commonly used in clinical settings to treat medical conditions such as kidney failure, chemotherapy, and other conditions involving red blood cell loss and anemia.
The WADA Prohibited List, updated at least annually, includes EPO under the category of "Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, and Related Substances." EPO has been on the list since its inception in 2004 and was previously included on the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) List of Banned Substances and Methods.
EPO testing is conducted by WADA-accredited laboratories, and the results are reviewed by one of the eight EPO experts recognised by WADA. The detection method for EPO has been widely accepted by the scientific community and has undergone extensive scientific validation.
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EPO is a Non-Specified Substance
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney and released into the blood when a reduction in oxygen is detected. It stimulates the formation of new red blood cells from blood stem cells in the bone marrow. Blood doping is the practice of misusing certain techniques and substances to increase the red blood cells in the body. Recombinant EPO (rEPO) is a synthetic substance not produced naturally by the human body.
The use of rEPO can be extremely dangerous without proper medical oversight and can increase the risk of death. rEPO results in increased production of red blood cells, making blood excessively thicker and prone to clotting. These risks are exacerbated by dehydration, which often occurs during endurance exercise, further concentrating the blood and risking heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. There have been suspected EPO-related cyclist deaths in Europe during the late 1980s to early 90s, known as the 'EPO-era'.
The analysis of rEPO results can sometimes be inconclusive, reported as an Atypical Finding. This may be due to the presence of interferences in a sample or the intensity of a potential synthetic EPO signal being too low. An Atypical Finding result requires further investigation. The Hematological Athlete Biological Passport allows for the indirect detection of blood manipulation and/or synthetic EPO use, including rEPO, through longitudinal monitoring of blood-based biomarkers in individual athletes.
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EPO misuse is blood doping
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney and released into the blood when a reduction in oxygen is detected. It stimulates the formation of new red blood cells from blood stem cells in the bone marrow (erythropoiesis). EPO has significant clinical utility and therapeutic benefits when used appropriately, such as to treat anaemia, cancer, AIDS, fertility issues, and pituitary deficiencies.
However, EPO misuse is blood doping. Blood doping is defined as the use of illicit products and methods to enhance the body's ability to transport oxygen to the muscles. EPO is one such illicit product, and its misuse can result in serious health consequences. When misused, EPO increases red blood cell production, thickening the blood and increasing the risk of deadly diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cerebral or pulmonary embolism. Athletes who misuse EPO are also at risk of serious autoimmune diseases.
The misuse of EPO for blood doping has been particularly prevalent in endurance sports, as it increases stamina and performance by allowing the body to transport more oxygen to the muscles. The increased production of red blood cells can make the blood excessively thicker and prone to clotting, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots, especially when combined with dehydration during endurance exercise.
To combat the misuse of EPO in sports, anti-doping tests have been developed using multiple secondary blood markers such as haematocrit level, reticulocyte haematocrit, serum sTFR, EPO concentrations, and the percentage of macrocytic cells. These tests can identify sportspeople currently under rHuEPO treatment and those who have taken it in the past.
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EPO results require specific interpretation
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney and released into the blood when a reduction in oxygen is detected. It stimulates the formation of new red blood cells from blood stem cells in the bone marrow. The body's production of EPO is stimulated by low oxygen levels (hypoxia). When cells in the kidneys sense there is sufficient oxygen in the blood, they reduce the production of EPO.
Recombinant EPO (rEPO) is a synthetic substance not produced naturally by the human body. It is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency as it increases red blood cell production, thereby increasing oxygen to the muscles and enhancing stamina. The use of rEPO can be extremely dangerous without proper medical oversight and can increase the risk of death.
It is important to distinguish between naturally occurring (endogenous) EPO and exogenous rEPO. The Hematological Athlete Biological Passport allows for the indirect detection of blood manipulation and/or synthetic EPO use through longitudinal monitoring of blood-based biomarkers in individual athletes. Australia has been at the forefront of the fight against doping in sports and was one of the first countries to establish a sports anti-doping agency. Australian universities also actively research sports doping issues, with findings published in academic journals.
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EPO can be dangerous without medical oversight
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney and released into the blood when a reduction in oxygen is detected. It stimulates the formation of new red blood cells from blood stem cells in the bone marrow. Blood doping is a practice of misusing certain techniques and substances to increase the red blood cells in the body. Recombinant EPO (rEPO) is a synthetic substance not produced naturally by the human body. It is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency as it increases red blood cell production, thereby increasing oxygen to the muscles.
While EPO has legitimate medical uses, such as treating anaemia caused by chronic kidney disease or chemotherapy, its misuse can be extremely dangerous. Without proper medical oversight, the use of rEPO can increase the risk of death. This is because it results in increased production of red blood cells, making the blood excessively thicker and prone to clotting. Dehydration, which commonly occurs during endurance exercise, further concentrates the blood, risking heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.
There have been suspected EPO-related cyclist deaths in Europe during the late 1980s to early 90s, known as the 'EPO-era', and in 2003-04. Media reports at the time suggested that riders would get up at night to move around so their arteries wouldn't become clogged. The use of rEPO doping is most common in endurance sports, such as long-distance running and road cycling, but it is also found in power-based disciplines, including short-distance sprinting and weightlifting.
The detection of EPO misuse can be challenging. rEPO analysis results can be inconclusive due to interferences in samples or low signal intensity. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibits the use of EPO in sports, and athletes who test positive may face suspension, loss of competition titles, or even a lifetime ban. The health and reputational risks of EPO misuse far outweigh any potential benefits. If an athlete feels they are underperforming, they should consult their coach about safer options, such as nutrition, alternative training methods, or sports psychology techniques.
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Frequently asked questions
EPO, or Erythropoietin, is a hormone produced by the kidney and released into the blood when a reduction in oxygen is detected. It stimulates the formation of new red blood cells from blood stem cells in the bone marrow.
EPO is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency, of which Australia is a member. Australia has been at the forefront of the fight against doping in sports and was one of the first countries to establish a sports anti-doping agency.
Use of rEPO can be extremely dangerous without proper medical oversight and can increase the risk of death. This is because it results in increased production of red blood cells, making blood excessively thicker and prone to clotting. These risks are exacerbated by dehydration, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.
