Equine pituitary neoplasia: a clinical report of 21 cases (1990-1992).

The research is a retrospective study on 21 horses affected by pituitary adenomas, examining their clinical, biochemical, and endocrinological characteristics.

Introduction to the Study

• The study involves a review of medical records of 21 horses affected by an adenoma (a type of tumor) in the pars intermedia of their pituitary glands.
• This selection consists of both Dutch warmblood horses and ponies, with ages ranging from 12 to 30 years.

Patient Characteristics

• The sample group of animals comprises 13 geldings (neutered male horses) and eight mares.
• One common symptom observed in all of these animals was hirsutism, a condition characterized by excessive hair growth.

Disease Prevalence and Survival Time

• In the year 1991, out of the total horses examined, 0.5% were diagnosed with this condition.
• Of the total cases, four horses were tracked from the time of discharge to the point when they developed severe complications that necessitated euthanasia. Their mean survival time was about 192 days.

Biochemical Measurements

• Standard biochemical measurements for these horses were mostly within the standard ranges. However, elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase and a high plasma glucose concentration were detected in some horses.

Endocrine Measurements

• The basal plasma concentration of Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which plays a crucial role in stress response, was recorded to be significantly high in the diseased horses.
• Additionally, cortisol concentrations were measured before and after the administration of a synthetic ACTH. The mean cortisol levels rose noticeably post-administration, suggesting adrenal hyperactivity, a common feature in this type of pituitary disease.

Urine Analysis

• The urine of five horses was analyzed. The mean specific gravity, which is a test to check kidney function, was slightly higher than the typical range.

The article’s abstract ends here, being truncated at 250 words. It is essentially an exploration into a specific type of equine pituitary disease, presenting insights into its prevalence, associated symptoms, and physiological impact.