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Abnormal plasma neuroactive progestagen derivatives in ill, neonatal foals presented to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Abstract: Increased levels of pregnanes have been reported in foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome (NMS). These steroids may cross the blood-brain barrier and have depressive effects in the central nervous system leading to behavioural abnormalities and altered states of consciousness in affected foals. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pregnane profile of foals with NMS and compare it with that of healthy controls and sick, non-NMS foals. Methods: Prospective-clinical study. Methods: Thirty-two foals with a clinical diagnosis of NMS, 12 foals with other neonatal disorders and 10 healthy control foals were selected for the study. Heparinised blood samples were collected from each group of foals and pregnane and androgen concentrations determined using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry at 0, 24 and 48 h of age. Results: Healthy foals showed a significant decrease in pregnane concentrations over the first 48 h of life (P<0.01). Foals with NMS and sick, non-NMS foals had significantly increased progesterone, pregnenolone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and epitestosterone concentrations compared with healthy foals (P<0.05). Progesterone and pregnenolone concentrations of sick, non-NMS foals decreased significantly over 48 h (P<0.05), whereas concentrations in NMS foals remained increased. Conclusions: Pregnane concentrations of ill, neonatal foals remain increased following birth, reflecting a delayed, or interrupted, transition from intra- to extra-uterine life. Serial progesterone and pregnenolone measurement may be useful in aiding diagnosis of NMS.
© 2013 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2013-04-22 PubMed ID: 23600660DOI: 10.1111/evj.12065Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a study on newborn foals with neonatal maladjustment syndrome (NMS), a condition that results in behaviorals and consciousness alterations due to the depressive effects of abnormal levels of neuroactive progestagen derivatives, known as pregnanes, on the central nervous system. The primary objective of the study is to compare the pregnane profiles of NMS-affected foals, healthy foals, and foals with other neonatal diseases. The study suggests an association between irregular pregnane concentrations and neonatal maladjustment syndrome in foals and highlights the potential utility of measuring progesterone and pregnenolone to help diagnose NMS.
Research Objectives
The researchers aimed to:
- Investigate the pregnane profile of newborn foals diagnosed with Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome (NMS)
- Compare the pregnane profile of NMS foals with healthy foals and foals suffering from non-NMS neonatal disorders
- Explore the use of serial progesterone and pregnenolone measurements as potential aids in diagnosing NMS
Methods
The study used the following methods:
- A selection of 32 foals diagnosed with NMS, 12 foals with non-NMS neonatal disorders and 10 healthy foals were examined
- Heparinized blood samples from each group were collected at 0, 24, and 48 hours of age
- Pregane and androgen concentrations were determined utilizing liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
Results
The results of the study showed:
- Healthy foals demonstrated a significant decrease in pregnane levels over the first 48 hours of life (P<0.01).
- Both foals with NMS and other diseases showed significantly increased levels of progesterone, pregnenolone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and epitestosterone when compared to healthy foals (P<0.05).
- While progesterone and pregnenolone concentrations in non-NMS foals significantly decreased over 48 hours (P<0.05), they remained increased in NMS foals.
Conclusions
Based on the study results:
- Unusually high pregnane concentrations in sick neonatal foals is reflective of a delayed or interrupted transition from intra- to extra-uterine life.
- The measurements of progesterone and pregnenolone may serve as useful aids in diagnosing Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome (NMS).
Cite This Article
APA
Aleman M, Pickles KJ, Conley AJ, Stanley S, Haggett E, Toth B, Madigan JE.
(2013).
Abnormal plasma neuroactive progestagen derivatives in ill, neonatal foals presented to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Equine Vet J, 45(6), 661-665.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12065 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine University of California, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Case-Control Studies
- Central Nervous System Diseases / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horses
- Hospitals, Animal
- Male
- Progestins / blood
- Progestins / chemistry
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Boakari YL, Legacki E, Alonso MA, Dos Santos ACF, Nichi M, Conley AJ, Fernandes CB. Postnatal Dynamics of Circulating Steroid Hormones in Mule and Equine Neonates. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 28;9(11).
- Lanci A, Mariella J, Ellero N, Faoro A, Peric T, Prandi A, Freccero F, Castagnetti C. Hair Cortisol and DHEA-S in Foals and Mares as a Retrospective Picture of Feto-Maternal Relationship under Physiological and Pathological Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 14;12(10).
- Holdsworth SE, Kells NJ, Chidgey KL, Vallée E, Ward N, Mellor DJ, Beausoleil NJ. Characterisation of the Behavioural Effects of a Thoracic Squeeze in Healthy Newborn Piglets. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 22;11(8).
- Lauteri E, Mariella J, Beccati F, Roelfsema E, Castagnetti C, Pepe M, Peric T, Barbato O, Montillo M, Rouge S, Freccero F. Adrenal Gland Ultrasonographic Measurements and Plasma Hormone Concentrations in Clinically Healthy Newborn Thoroughbred and Standardbred Foals. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 19;11(6).
- Swink JM, Rings LM, Snyder HA, McAuley RC, Burns TA, Dembek KA, Gilsenan WF, Browne N, Toribio RE. Dynamics of androgens in healthy and hospitalized newborn foals. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jan;35(1):538-549.
- Aleman M, Chigerwe M, Varga A, Madigan JE. Steroid precursors, steroids, neuroactive steroids, and neurosteroids concentrations in serum and saliva of healthy neonatal heifer Holstein calves. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Nov;34(6):2767-2775.
- Gabai G, Mongillo P, Giaretta E, Marinelli L. Do Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Its Sulfate (DHEAS) Play a Role in the Stress Response in Domestic Animals?. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:588835.
- Falomo ME, Del Re B, Rossi M, Giaretta E, Da Dalt L, Gabai G. Relationship between postpartum uterine involution and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in clinically healthy mares (Equus caballus). Heliyon 2020 Apr;6(4):e03691.
- Aleman M, McCue PM, Chigerwe M, Madigan JE. Plasma concentrations of steroid precursors, steroids, neuroactive steroids, and neurosteroids in healthy neonatal foals from birth to 7 days of age. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Sep;33(5):2286-2293.
- Dembek KA, Johnson LM, Timko KJ, Minuto JS, Hart KA, Barr BS, Toribio RE. Multiple adrenocortical steroid response to administration of exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone to hospitalized foals. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jul;33(4):1766-1774.
- Aleman M, Weich KM, Madigan JE. Survey of Veterinarians Using a Novel Physical Compression Squeeze Procedure in the Management of Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome in Foals. Animals (Basel) 2017 Sep 5;7(9).
- Bianco AW, Moore GE, Taylor SD. Neonatal Encephalopathy in Calves Presented to a University Hospital. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Nov;31(6):1892-1899.
- McCallie KR, Gaikwad NW, Castillo Cuadrado ME, Aleman M, Madigan JE, Stevenson DK, Bhutani VK. Skin-to-skin contact after birth and the natural course of neurosteroid levels in healthy term newborns. J Perinatol 2017 May;37(5):591-595.
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