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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Sci / Preliminary study on the effects of pergolide on left ventri...
Journal of veterinary science2021; 22(5); e64; doi: 10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e64

Preliminary study on the effects of pergolide on left ventricular function in the horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Abstract: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), a neurodegenerative disease leading to reduced dopamine production, is a common disease in aged horses. The treatment is based on administration of the dopamine agonist pergolide. This drug has been related to valvular fibrosis in humans, but the cardiovascular effect of this drug has not yet been investigated in horses. Objective: To determine whether pergolide induces valvular disease in horses or affects the cardiac function. Methods: Standard, tissue Doppler (TDE) and two-dimensional speckle tracking (STE) echocardiography were performed in horses with diagnosed PPID based on adrenocorticotropic hormone dosage. Measurements taken in horses treated with pergolide were compared with those from untreated horses with nonparametric -tests. Furthermore, measurements from follow-up examinations performed at least three months after the initial exam were compared with a Wilcoxon signed rank test for repeated measurements in each group. Results: Twenty-three horses were included. None of the 12 horses under treatment developed valvular regurgitation. Furthermore, no differences in the measurements of the left ventricular systolic or diastolic function could be seen between the group of horses with treatment and those without treatment. Measurements taken in the follow-up exam did not differ compared to those taken in the initial exam in both groups. Conclusions: No changes of the left ventricular function assessed by TDE and STE could be shown in a small population of horses with confirmed PPID. Treatment with pergolide did not affect the ventricular function nor induce valvular disease.
© 2021 The Korean Society of Veterinary Science.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-24 PubMed ID: 34553515PubMed Central: PMC8460455DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e64Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article investigates the impact of the drug pergolide on the functioning of the left ventricle in horses affected by Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), a neurodegenerative disease causing reduced dopamine production. The study concluded that the drug pergolide does not change the left ventricle function, nor does it cause valvular disease.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

The main goal of this study was:

  • To determine if the drug pergolide, a common treatment for PPID, causes valvular disease or impacts cardiac function in horses.

The research methods used to achieve this objective included:

  • The application of standard, tissue Doppler (TDE) and two-dimensional speckle tracking (STE) echocardiography on horses diagnosed with PPID. This diagnosis was based on adrenocorticotropic hormone dosage.
  • A comparison of measurements taken in horses treated with pergolide to those from untreated horses using nonparametric -tests.
  • Compare measurements from follow-up examinations performed at least three months after the initial exam using a Wilcoxon signed rank test for repeated measurements in each group.

Results of the Research

Findings from the research were as follows:

  • A total of 23 horses were included in this study.
  • None of the 12 horses under treatment developed valvular regurgitation.
  • There was no visible difference in the measurements of the left ventricular systolic or diastolic function between the group of horses with treatment and those without treatment.
  • Measurements taken in the follow-up exam did not differ compared to those taken in the initial exam in both groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion:

  • No changes in the left ventricular function assessed by TDE and STE were evident in a small population of horses with confirmed PPID.
  • Treatment with pergolide seems to have no negative effect on the ventricular function or cause valvular disease in horses suffering from PPID.

Cite This Article

APA
Gehlen H, Fisch J, Merle R, Trachsel DS. (2021). Preliminary study on the effects of pergolide on left ventricular function in the horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. J Vet Sci, 22(5), e64. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e64

Publication

Journal of veterinary science
ISSN: 1976-555X
NlmUniqueID: 100964185
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 5
Pages: e64
PII: e64

Researcher Affiliations

Gehlen, Heidrun
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Freie University Berlin, Berlin 14163, Germany.
Fisch, Judith
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Freie University Berlin, Berlin 14163, Germany.
Merle, Roswitha
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie University Berlin, Berlin 14163, Germany.
Trachsel, Dagmar S
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Equine Clinic: Surgery and Radiology, Freie University Berlin, Berlin 14163, Germany. dagmarsenta.trachsel@fu-berlin.de.

MeSH Terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Dopamine Agonists / pharmacology
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Pergolide / pharmacology
  • Pituitary Diseases / drug therapy
  • Pituitary Diseases / veterinary
  • Pituitary Gland, Intermediate / drug effects
  • Pituitary Gland, Intermediate / pathology
  • Ventricular Function, Left / drug effects
  • Ventricular Function, Left / physiology

Grant Funding

  • Freie Universitu00e4t Berlin

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Menzies-Gow NJ. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 20;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080780pubmed: 40872730google scholar: lookup
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