Association Between Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Concentration and Clinical Signs of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction in Swiss and Austrian Equids.
Abstract: There remains a scarcity of data concerning the relationship between the clinical signs associated with PPID and plasma ACTH concentrations. Objective: Report the frequency of clinical signs in the study cohort and identify individual clinical signs or combinations of clinical signs associated with high ACTH concentrations. Methods: Two hundred eighty equids were examined by private veterinarians. Methods: A cross-sectional study of animals with clinical suspicion of PPID was conducted between August and November. Private practitioners completed an online questionnaire reporting detailed information, including signalment, owner-reported history, and clinical observations during the examination. Plasma ACTH concentrations of each animal were measured. Associations between clinical signs and ACTH concentrations were examined. Results: Age, month, and specific clinical signs (hair coat abnormalities, laminitis, and supraorbital fat) were univariably associated with high ACTH concentrations. The first three dimensions of the multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) described the aggregation of clinical signs according to a known semiological typicity. Dimensions 1, 2, and 3 corresponded to features indicative of equine metabolic syndrome, early-stage PPID, and advanced PPID, respectively. Further regression analysis showed that Dimensions 1 and 3, as well as age, were significant predictors of high ACTH levels. Conclusions: The results indicate that particular clinical signs commonly associated with advanced stages of PPID are associated with high ACTH levels. Furthermore, in this data set, a phenotype compatible with metabolic syndrome was also linked to higher ACTH concentrations. These findings underscore the importance of seeking more sensitive biomarkers for the diagnosis of early PPID.
© 2025 Boehringer Ingelheim and The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2025-03-17 PubMed ID: 40095750PubMed Central: PMC11912427DOI: 10.1111/jvim.70008Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research analyzes the clinical signs in horses with suspected Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) and their association with high plasma ACTH concentrations, suggesting the need for more sensitive biomarkers for early PPID detection.
Objective of the Study
- The study’s main purpose was to report the frequency of observed clinical signs in a study group of equids and to identify specific clinical signs or combinations that correlate with high plasma ACTH concentrations.
Methodology
- The study was cross-sectional, involving 280 equids suspected to have PPID and was conducted between August and November.
- The equids were examined by private veterinarians, who completed an online questionnaire detailing the animals’ information, owner-reported history, and observed clinical signs.
- The plasma ACTH concentrations were measured, and any associations between observable clinical signs and ACTH levels were examined.
Results
- High ACTH concentrations were found to be singly associated with certain age, month, and clinical signs including hair coat abnormalities, laminitis, and an excess of supraorbital (above the eye) fat.
- The study utilized multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to describe the clustering of clinical signs according to a known semiological typicity—meaning a set of typical symptoms.
- The first three dimensions identified through MCA were indicative of equine metabolic syndrome, early-stage PPID, and advanced PPID, respectively.
- The statistical regression analysis showed that dimensions 1 and 3 (metabolic syndrome features and advanced PPID signs), along with age, were significant predictors of high ACTH levels.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that certain clinical signs associated with advanced stages of PPID correspond with high ACTH concentrations, suggesting these could be useful indicators for diagnosing the disease.
- Interestingly, a phenotype consistent with metabolic syndrome was also related to higher concentrations of plasma ACTH.
- The findings highlight the need for more sensitive biomarkers for early detection of PPID in horses, as recognition of early symptoms could lead to more timely and effective intervention.
Cite This Article
APA
Fouché N, Doras C, Schüpbach-Regula G, Scherer A, Freudenschuss B, Gerber V.
(2025).
Association Between Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Concentration and Clinical Signs of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction in Swiss and Austrian Equids.
J Vet Intern Med, 39(2), e70008.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Boehringer Ingelheim, Animal Health, Basel, Switzerland.
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG Animal Health, Vienna, Austria.
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Pituitary Gland, Intermediate / physiopathology
- Female
- Male
- Austria / epidemiology
- Switzerland / epidemiology
- Pituitary Diseases / veterinary
- Pituitary Diseases / blood
Grant Funding
- Boehringer Ingelheim
Conflict of Interest Statement
Alexandre Scherer and Barbara Freudenschuss were at the time of project implementation employees of Boehringer Ingelheim. Nathalie Fouché, Vinzenz Gerber, Camille Doras, and Gertraud Schüpbach received partial funding by Boehringer Ingelheim for study design, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation.
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