Role of Erythropoietin

# In the absence of erythropoietin (EPO), committed erythroid progenitor cells undergo ?
A. Stunted growth
B. Halting of growth
C. Programmed cell death (apoptosis)
D. Change to other series of hematopoietic cell

The correct answer is C. Programmed cell death (apoptosis).

For RBC production, EPO is the regulatory hormone. It is required for maintenance of committed

erythroid progenitor cells which undergoes programmed cell death (apoptosis) if EPO is absent.

Ref: Harrison’s 18th Ed. 448