[Assay methods for erythropoietin].

The aim of this contribution is to briefly characterize the assays available for the quantitation of erythropoietin (EPO). The radioimmunological determination of EPO has gained priority for routine and screening measurements. The in vivo bioassay is the most reliable assay for biologic EPO activity. In vitro bioassays should be limited to situations in which radioimmunoassays are not available and for which in vivo bioassays are too insensitive.