Relationship between erythropoietin levels and reticulocyte count in sports

Authors

  • Martin Pupiš
  • Lukáš Opáth
  • Jozef Sýkora
  • David Brűnn
  • Michal Hlávek

Keywords:

athlete biological passport, erythropietin, reticulocytes

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine if a direct relationship could be established between erythropoietin levels and reticulocyte counts in blood samples collected at the same time. The research was conducted as a case study on an adult endurance athlete (aged 26-27 at the time of the study), with blood samples taken over a two-year period. Erythropoietin levels and reticulocyte counts were analyzed to investigate a possible relationship between the two. Erythropoietin levels ranged from 3.24 mlU/ml to 12.5 mlU/ml, with a maximum value 3.86 times higher than the minimum. The reticulocyte count ranged from 0.94% to 1.75%. Therefore, the maximum value was 1.86 times higher than the minimum value. A negligible relation (r=0.13) was found between erythropoietin levels and the reticulocyte count. The results of this case study suggest that it is not possible to definitively identify a relationship between erythropoietin levels and the reticulocyte counts when both parameters are analyzed from a single blood draw. Based on these results, further research is needed to identify individual factors that could improve the objectivity of interpreting the results monitored in ABP. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24040/sjss.2024.9.suppl.189-193

Published

2024-12-30