FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2009; 73(1); 65-72;

Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy foals from birth to 12 weeks of age.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate total baseline plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations, and ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations in foals from birth to 12 wk of age. Plasma (baseline) cortisol and ACTH concentrations were measured in 13 healthy foals at birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 d of age. Each foal received cosyntropin (0.1 microg/kg) intravenously. Plasma cortisol concentrations were measured before (baseline), and 30, and 60 min after cosyntropin administration at birth and at 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 d of age. Compared with baseline, cortisol concentration increased significantly 30 min after administration of cosyntropin on all days. Cortisol concentration was highest at birth, measured at 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin administration, compared with all other days. With the exception of birth measurements, cortisol concentration was significantly higher on day 84, measured at 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin administration, when compared with all other days. Baseline plasma ACTH was lowest at birth when compared with concentrations on days 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 42, 56, and 84. Administration of 0.1 microg/kg of cosyntropin, IV, reliably induces cortisol secretion in healthy foals. Differences in the magnitude of response to cosyntropin are observed depending on the age of the foal. These data should serve as a reference for the ACTH stimulation test in foals and should be useful in subsequent studies to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in healthy and critically ill foals. L’objectif de la présente étude était d’étudier les concentrations du niveau de base du cortisol plasmatique total, de l’hormone adrénocorticotropique (ACTH) et les concentrations de cortisol suite à une stimulation par l’ACTH chez des poulains de la naissance jusqu’à l’âge de 12 sem. Les concentrations de base du cortisol plasmatique et de l’ACTH ont été mesurées chez 13 poulains en santé à la naissance et à 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56 et 84 jours d’âge. Les concentrations de cortisol plasmatique ont été mesurées avant (niveau de base), 30 et 60 min après administration de cosyntropine à tous les jours. En comparaison avec le niveau de base, les concentrations de cortisol augmentèrent significativement 30 min après l’administration de cosyntropine à tous les jours. La concentration de cortisol était à son maximum le jour de la naissance, 30 et 60 min après administration de cosyntropine, comparativement à tous les autres jours. À l’exception des mesures prises à la naissance, la concentration de cortisol était supérieure d’une manière significative au jour 84, 30 et 60 min après administration de cosyntropine, lorsque comparée aux autres journées. La valeur de base de l’ACTH plasmatique était à son plus bas au moment de la naissance lorsque comparée aux niveaux aux jours 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 42, 56, et 84. L’administration de 0,1 μg/kg de cosyntropine par voie intraveineuse, a induit d’une manière fiable la sécrétion de cortisol chez des poulains en santé. Les différences dans l’ampleur de la réponse à la cosyntropine sont observées en fonction de l’âge du poulain. Ces données devraient servir de référence pour les tests de stimulation à l’ACTH chez les poulains et devraient être utiles dans les études subséquentes visant à évaluer l’axe hypothalamus-pitutaire- surrénale chez des poulains en santé et ceux sévèrement malades. (Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier)
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2009-04-02 PubMed ID: 19337398PubMed Central: PMC2613599
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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study seeks to investigate the baseline and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated cortisol concentrations in foals from birth to 12 weeks of age. The findings suggest that cortisol responses differ at various stages in a foal’s life, with notably high levels at birth and on the 84th day, providing a reference for future studies on hormone regulation in both healthy and critically ill foals.

Research Purpose and Methods

  • The key objective of this study was to understand the concentration of baseline plasma cortisol and ACTH in healthy foals from birth to 12 weeks.
  • The study used 13 healthy foals and studied baseline and ACTH-stimulated cortisol concentrations within these foals at different stages, specifically at birth and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 days of age.
  • The researchers administered cosyntropin, a hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to make cortisol, intravenously (0.1 micrograms/kg), and measured plasma cortisol concentrations before, 30 minutes after, and 60 minutes after cosyntropin administration at different stages.

Key Findings

  • The study found that the cortisol concentration increased significantly 30 minutes after the administration of cosyntropin, compared to the baseline.
  • The highest cortisol concentrations were found at birth and 30 and 60 minutes after cosyntropin administration and on the 84th day, with higher concentrations compared to other days.
  • In contrast, baseline plasma ACTH was lowest at birth when compared with concentrations on days 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 42, 56, and 84.
  • The researchers found that the administration of cosyntropin reliably induces cortisol secretion in foals.

Implications of the Study

  • The research highlights that the impact of cosyntropin on cortisol secretion varies with the foal’s age.
  • These data provide a reference for ACTH stimulation tests in foals, which can be a crucial tool for gauging the performance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in both healthy and critically ill foals.
  • Understanding foals’ hormone regulation at different life stages can help inform care and interventions for both healthy and sick foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Wong DM, Vo DT, Alcott CJ, Stewart AJ, Peterson AD, Sponseller BA, Hsu WH. (2009). Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy foals from birth to 12 weeks of age. Can J Vet Res, 73(1), 65-72.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 1928-9022
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 73
Issue: 1
Pages: 65-72

Researcher Affiliations

Wong, David M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA. dwong@iastate.edu
Vo, Dai Tan
    Alcott, Cody J
      Stewart, Allison J
        Peterson, Anna D
          Sponseller, Brett A
            Hsu, Walter H

              MeSH Terms

              • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
              • Aging / drug effects
              • Aging / physiology
              • Animals
              • Animals, Newborn
              • Cosyntropin / administration & dosage
              • Cosyntropin / pharmacology
              • Female
              • Horses
              • Housing, Animal
              • Hydrocortisone / blood
              • Hydrocortisone / metabolism
              • Injections, Intravenous
              • Male
              • Reference Values

              References

              This article includes 44 references
              1. Flisińska-Bojanowska A, Gill J, Grzelkowska K. Diurnal changes in cortisol level, neutrophil number and lyzozyme activity in foals during the first 13 weeks of life and in their lactating mothers.. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A 1992 Nov;39(9):641-7.
                pubmed: 1455932doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.1992.tb00229.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              2. Irvine CH, Alexander SL. Factors affecting the circadian rhythm in plasma cortisol concentrations in the horse.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 1994 Apr;11(2):227-38.
                pubmed: 8045104doi: 10.1016/0739-7240(94)90030-2google scholar: lookup
              3. Marik PE, Zaloga GP. Adrenal insufficiency in the critically ill: a new look at an old problem.. Chest 2002 Nov;122(5):1784-96.
                pubmed: 12426284doi: 10.1378/chest.122.5.1784google scholar: lookup
              4. Siraux V, De Backer D, Yalavatti G, Mélot C, Gervy C, Mockel J, Vincent JL. Relative adrenal insufficiency in patients with septic shock: comparison of low-dose and conventional corticotropin tests.. Crit Care Med 2005 Nov;33(11):2479-86.
                pubmed: 16276169doi: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000185641.87051.7cgoogle scholar: lookup
              5. Martin LG, Groman RP. Relative adrenal insufficiency in critial illness. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2004;14:149–157.
              6. Burkitt JM, Haskins SC, Nelson RW, Kass PH. Relative adrenal insufficiency in dogs with sepsis.. J Vet Intern Med 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):226-31.
                pubmed: 17427381doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2007)21[226:raiidw]2.0.co;2google scholar: lookup
              7. Stull CL, Rodiek AV. Physiological responses of horses to 24 hours of transportation using a commercial van during summer conditions.. J Anim Sci 2000 Jun;78(6):1458-66.
                pubmed: 10875627doi: 10.2527/2000.7861458xgoogle scholar: lookup
              8. Taylor PM. Effects of surgery on endocrine and metabolic responses to anaesthesia in horses and ponies.. Res Vet Sci 1998 Mar-Apr;64(2):133-40.
                pubmed: 9625469doi: 10.1016/s0034-5288(98)90008-xgoogle scholar: lookup
              9. Hinchcliff KW, Rush BR, Farris JW. Evaluation of plasma catecholamine and serum cortisol concentrations in horses with colic.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005 Jul 15;227(2):276-80.
                pubmed: 16047666doi: 10.2460/javma.2005.227.276google scholar: lookup
              10. Rietmann TR, Staﾬher M, Bernasconi P, Auer JA, Weishaupt MA. The association between heart rate, heart rate variability, endocrine and behavioural pain measures in horses suffering from laminitis.. J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med 2004 Jun;51(5):218-25.
                pubmed: 15315700doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2004.00627.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              11. Arafah BM. Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal function during critical illness: limitations of current assessment methods.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006 Oct;91(10):3725-45.
                pubmed: 16882746doi: 10.1210/jc.2006-0674google scholar: lookup
              12. Barton RN, Stoner HB, Watson SM. Relationships among plasma cortisol, adrenocorticotrophin, and severity of injury in recently injured patients.. J Trauma 1987 Apr;27(4):384-92.
                pubmed: 3033260doi: 10.1097/00005373-198704000-00007google scholar: lookup
              13. Cooper MS, Stewart PM. Corticosteroid insufficiency in acutely ill patients.. N Engl J Med 2003 Feb 20;348(8):727-34.
                pubmed: 12594318doi: 10.1056/nejmra020529google scholar: lookup
              14. Couëtil LL, Hoffman AM. Adrenal insufficiency in a neonatal foal.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998 May 15;212(10):1594-6.
                pubmed: 9604031
              15. Langer M, Modi BP, Agus M. Adrenal insufficiency in the critically ill neonate and child.. Curr Opin Pediatr 2006 Aug;18(4):448-53.
                pubmed: 16915002doi: 10.1097/01.mop.0000236397.79580.85google scholar: lookup
              16. Durkan S, de Laforcade A, Rozanski E, Rush JE. Suspected relative adrenal insufficiency in a critically ill cat. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2006;17:197–201.
              17. Elsouri N, Bander J, Guzman JA. Relative adrenal insufficiency in patients with septic shock; a close look to practice patterns.. J Crit Care 2006 Mar;21(1):73-7.
                pubmed: 16616627doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2005.09.055google scholar: lookup
              18. Alía P, Villabona C, Giménez O, Sospedra E, Soler J, Navarro MA. Profile, mean residence time of ACTH and cortisol responses after low and standard ACTH tests in healthy volunteers.. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2006 Sep;65(3):346-51.
                pubmed: 16918954doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2006.02602.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              19. Beishuizen A, van Lijf JH, Lekkerkerker JF, Vermes I. The low dose (1 microg) ACTH stimulation test for assessment of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.. Neth J Med 2000 Mar;56(3):91-9.
                pubmed: 10759020doi: 10.1016/s0300-2977(99)00111-4google scholar: lookup
              20. Soliman AT, Taman KH, Rizk MM, Nasr IS, Alrimawy H, Hamido MS. Circulating adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentrations in normal, appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns versus those with sepsis and respiratory distress: Cortisol response to low-dose and standard-dose ACTH tests.. Metabolism 2004 Feb;53(2):209-14.
                pubmed: 14767873doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2003.09.005google scholar: lookup
              21. Marsh PS, Palmer JE. Bacterial isolates from blood and their susceptibility patterns in critically ill foals: 543 cases (1991-1998).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001 May 15;218(10):1608-10.
                pubmed: 11393374doi: 10.2460/javma.2001.218.1608google scholar: lookup
              22. Bousquet-Mélou A, Formentini E, Picard-Hagen N, Delage L, Laroute V, Toutain PL. The adrenocorticotropin stimulation test: contribution of a physiologically based model developed in horse for its interpretation in different pathophysiological situations encountered in man.. Endocrinology 2006 Sep;147(9):4281-91.
                pubmed: 16763068doi: 10.1210/en.2005-1161google scholar: lookup
              23. Stewart A, Behrend E, Wright J. Effect of low doses of cosyntropin on serum cortisol concentratrions in clinically normal neonatal foals. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2007;17:S16.
              24. Singh AK, Jiang Y, White T, Spassova D. Validation of nonradioactive chemiluminescent immunoassay methods for the analysis of thyroxine and cortisol in blood samples obtained from dogs, cats, and horses.. J Vet Diagn Invest 1997 Jul;9(3):261-8.
                pubmed: 9249165doi: 10.1177/104063879700900307google scholar: lookup
              25. Froin HR. Diagnosis of equine cushing’s syndrome by ACTH measurement. Diagnostic Products Corporation Technical Report Los Angeles, California, USA. 1998.
              26. Perkins GA, Lamb S, Erb HN, Schanbacher B, Nydam DV, Divers TJ. Plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentrations and clinical response in horses treated for equine Cushing's disease with cyproheptadine or pergolide.. Equine Vet J 2002 Nov;34(7):679-85.
                pubmed: 12455838doi: 10.2746/042516402776250333google scholar: lookup
              27. Nye EJ, Grice JE, Hockings GI, Strakosch CR, Crosbie GV, Walters MM, Jackson RV. Comparison of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) stimulation tests and insulin hypoglycemia in normal humans: low dose, standard high dose, and 8-hour ACTH-(1-24) infusion tests.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999 Oct;84(10):3648-55.
                pubmed: 10523009doi: 10.1210/jcem.84.10.6062google scholar: lookup
              28. Rossdale PD, Silver M, Ellis L, Frauenfelder H. Response of the adrenal cortex to tetracosactrin (ACTH1-24) in the premature and full-term foal.. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 1982;32:545-53.
                pubmed: 6300391
              29. Hart KA, Ferguson DC, Heusner GL, Barton MH. Synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy neonatal foals.. J Vet Intern Med 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):314-21.
                pubmed: 17427394doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2007)21[314:sahsti]2.0.co;2google scholar: lookup
              30. Abdu TA, Elhadd TA, Neary R, Clayton RN. Comparison of the low dose short synacthen test (1 microg), the conventional dose short synacthen test (250 microg), and the insulin tolerance test for assessment of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with pituitary disease.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999 Mar;84(3):838-43.
                pubmed: 10084558doi: 10.1210/jcem.84.3.5535google scholar: lookup
              31. Furr MO, Bender H. Cerebrospinal fluid variables in clinically normal foals from birth to 42 days of age.. Am J Vet Res 1994 Jun;55(6):781-4.
                pubmed: 7944014
              32. Bauer J. Normal blood chemistry. In: Koterba AM, Drummond W, Kosch P, editors. Equine Clinical Neonatology. Baltimore, Maryland: Williams & Wilkins; 1990. pp. 602–614.
              33. Brommer H, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Kessels B. Haematological and blood biochemical characteristics of Dutch warmblood foals managed under three different rearing conditions from birth to 5 months of age.. Vet Q 2001 Apr;23(2):92-5.
                pubmed: 11361107doi: 10.1080/01652176.2001.9695090google scholar: lookup
              34. Harvey J. Normal hematologic values. In: Koterba AM, Drummond W, Kosch P, editors. Equine Clinical Neonatology. Baltimore, Maryland: Williams & Wilkins; 1990. pp. 561–570.
              35. Silver M, Fowden AL. Prepartum adrenocortical maturation in the fetal foal: responses to ACTH.. J Endocrinol 1994 Sep;142(3):417-25.
                pubmed: 7964292doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1420417google scholar: lookup
              36. Cudd TA, LeBlanc M, Silver M, Norman W, Madison J, Keller-Wood M, Wood CE. Ontogeny and ultradian rhythms of adrenocorticotropin and cortisol in the late-gestation fetal horse.. J Endocrinol 1995 Feb;144(2):271-83.
                pubmed: 7706980doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1440271google scholar: lookup
              37. Silver M, Ousey JC, Dudan FE, Fowden AL, Knox J, Cash RS, Rossdale PD. Studies on equine prematurity 2: Post natal adrenocortical activity in relation to plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone and catecholamine levels in term and premature foals.. Equine Vet J 1984 Jul;16(4):278-86.
                pubmed: 6090119doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01927.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              38. Ousey JC, Rossdale PD, Fowden AL, Palmer L, Turnbull C, Allen WR. Effects of manipulating intrauterine growth on post natal adrenocortical development and other parameters of maturity in neonatal foals.. Equine Vet J 2004 Nov;36(7):616-21.
                pubmed: 15581327doi: 10.2746/0425164044864598google scholar: lookup
              39. O'Connor SJ, Gardner DS, Ousey JC, Holdstock N, Rossdale P, Edwards CM, Fowden AL, Giussani DA. Development of baroreflex and endocrine responses to hypotensive stress in newborn foals and lambs.. Pflugers Arch 2005 Aug;450(5):298-306.
                pubmed: 15931536doi: 10.1007/s00424-005-1435-1google scholar: lookup
              40. Couëtil L, Paradis MR, Knoll J. Plasma adrenocorticotropin concentration in healthy horses and in horses with clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism.. J Vet Intern Med 1996 Jan-Feb;10(1):1-6.
                pubmed: 8965262doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1996.tb02016.xgoogle scholar: lookup
              41. Donaldson MT, McDonnell SM, Schanbacher BJ, Lamb SV, McFarlane D, Beech J. Variation in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration and dexamethasone suppression test results with season, age, and sex in healthy ponies and horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2005 Mar-Apr;19(2):217-22.
                pubmed: 15822567doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2005)19<217:vipahc>2.0.co;2google scholar: lookup
              42. Giussani DA, Forhead AJ, Gardner DS, Fletcher AJ, Allen WR, Fowden AL. Postnatal cardiovascular function after manipulation of fetal growth by embryo transfer in the horse.. J Physiol 2003 Feb 15;547(Pt 1):67-76.
                pmc: PMC2342620pubmed: 12562940doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2002.027409google scholar: lookup
              43. Gold JR, Divers TJ, Barton MH, Lamb SV, Place NJ, Mohammed HO, Bain FT. Plasma adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropin/cortisol ratios in septic and normal-term foals.. J Vet Intern Med 2007 Jul-Aug;21(4):791-6.
                pubmed: 17708401doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2007)21[791:pacacr]2.0.co;2google scholar: lookup
              44. Javadi S, Galac S, Boer P, Robben JH, Teske E, Kooistra HS. Aldosterone-to-renin and cortisol-to-adrenocorticotropic hormone ratios in healthy dogs and dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism.. J Vet Intern Med 2006 May-Jun;20(3):556-61.
                pubmed: 16734089doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[556:aachri]2.0.co;2google scholar: lookup

              Citations

              This article has been cited 4 times.
              1. Elder E, Wong D, Johnson K, Robertson H, Marner M, Dembek K. Assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis function using a vasopressin stimulation test in neonatal foals. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Sep-Oct;37(5):1881-1888.
                doi: 10.1111/jvim.16808pubmed: 37432047google scholar: lookup
              2. Johnson K, Peterson J, Kopper J, Dembek K. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to ovine corticotropin-releasing-hormone stimulation tests in healthy and hospitalized foals. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jan;37(1):292-301.
                doi: 10.1111/jvim.16604pubmed: 36651191google scholar: lookup
              3. 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.
                doi: 10.1111/jvim.15974pubmed: 33277956google scholar: lookup
              4. Hart KA, Barton MH. Adrenocortical insufficiency in horses and foals. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2011 Apr;27(1):19-34.
                doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.12.005pubmed: 21392651google scholar: lookup
              Subscribe to our newsletter
              Join 99,928 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.