Final answer:
Erythropoietin, unlike thyroxine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, does not contribute to increased metabolism during acute altitude exposure; it stimulates red blood cell production instead.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormone that does not contribute to increased metabolism during acute altitude exposure is d. erythropoietin. This hormone is primarily involved in the stimulation of red blood cell production, rather than directly affecting metabolism. In contrast, thyroxine (a), norepinephrine (b), and epinephrine (c) all play roles in increasing metabolic rate, with thyroxine influencing basal metabolic rate (BMR) and norepinephrine and epinephrine triggering the fight-or-flight response, which increases BMR to a lesser extent.
According to the provided information, erythropoietin, produced by the kidneys, facilitates the proliferation and differentiation of the erythrocyte lineage (point 9), but doesn't impact metabolism directly in the context of acute altitude exposure. It is notable for its role in stimulating the production of red blood cells, which is critical at high altitudes where oxygen levels are lower. However, its function is not related to the immediate increase in metabolic rate that occurs during acute altitude exposure.