Final answer:
Certain hormones stimulate the production of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (BPG), which promotes the disassociation of oxygen from hemoglobin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Certain hormones, such as androgens, epinephrine, thyroid hormones, and growth hormone, can affect the oxygen-hemoglobin saturation/disassociation curve by stimulating the production of a compound called 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (BPG) by erythrocytes. BPG is a byproduct of glycolysis. Because erythrocytes do not contain mitochondria, glycolysis is the sole method by which these cells produce ATP. BPG promotes the disassociation of oxygen from hemoglobin. Therefore, the greater the concentration of BPG, the more readily oxygen dissociates from hemoglobin, despite its partial pressure.