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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Endocrinol / Prepartum adrenocortical maturation in the fetal foal: respo...
The Journal of endocrinology1994; 142(3); 417-425; doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1420417

Prepartum adrenocortical maturation in the fetal foal: responses to ACTH.

Abstract: The present study was carried out on 19 chronically catheterized mares and fetuses in late gestation (term > 320 days). In six animals which were monitored up to the time of delivery of a live foal, plasma and amniotic fluid cortisol concentrations remained low until 4-5 days before parturition when there was a rapid, significant rise (P < 0.05) which was not accompanied by any corresponding changes in maternal plasma cortisol. Circulating fetal ACTH concentrations became more variable close to delivery and ANOVA revealed no significant increases during this critical period, although a negative correlation between plasma ACTH and time to delivery was observed (P < 0.05). Tests on fetal adrenal responsiveness to exogenous ACTH1-24 were carried out on ten animals. Before 295 days of gestation no significant increases in fetal plasma cortisol above its basal level of 20-30 nmol/l could be elicited by ACTH, administered as a single i.v. injection (1-2 micrograms/kg). By 304 +/- 3 days (mean +/- S.E.M.) small but significant (P < 0.05) increments in plasma cortisol were detected after ACTH, while in the oldest group (313 +/- 2 days) significant (P < 0.01) 50-60% increments were seen throughout the test period (2 h). Only one fetus was tested within 3 days of delivery and here a fourfold rise in plasma cortisol was evoked by ACTH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Publication Date: 1994-09-01 PubMed ID: 7964292DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1420417Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research article is about a study conducted on pregnant mares and their fetuses to understand the prepartum adrenocortical maturation in the fetal foal and the responses to Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Study Methodology

  • The research was conducted on 19 mares and their fetuses during the late stage of pregnancy.
  • Six among these were observed until the delivery of a live foal.
  • The researchers monitored the concentration of cortisol levels in the plasma and amniotic fluid.
  • Circulating fetal ACTH concentrations were also monitored as it came closer to the delivery time.
  • Tests on fetal adrenal responsiveness to external ACTH (ACTH1-24) were conducted on ten animals. Here, ACTH was administered as a single intravenous injection.

Key Findings

  • The cortisol concentrations in the plasma and amniotic fluid of the fetuses remained low until 4-5 days before the birth, after which a significant rise occurred.
  • No corresponding changes occurred in the maternal plasma cortisol levels during this duration.
  • Analysis of the circulating fetal ACTH concentrations revealed them to be more variable close to delivery, with no significant increment observed during this critical period. However, a negative correlation was observed between the plasma ACTH concentration and the time to delivery.
  • Before pregnancy day 295, no noticeable increases in fetal plasma cortisol above its basal level could be induced by ACTH. However, by day 304, small but significant increases in cortisol levels were detected after ACTH administration.
  • In the oldest group (313 +/- 2 days), significant 50-60% increments were seen throughout a 2-hour test period after ACTH administration.
  • At 3 days of delivery, a fourfold rise in plasma cortisol levels was evoked by ACTH in one fetus.

Conclusion

  • The study provides essential insights into prepartum adrenocortical maturation in the fetal foal and mechanism of responding to ACTH, bringing a deeper understanding of the hormonal changes related to the birth process.

Cite This Article

APA
Silver M, Fowden AL. (1994). Prepartum adrenocortical maturation in the fetal foal: responses to ACTH. J Endocrinol, 142(3), 417-425. https://doi.org/10.1677/joe.0.1420417

Publication

The Journal of endocrinology
ISSN: 0022-0795
NlmUniqueID: 0375363
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 142
Issue: 3
Pages: 417-425

Researcher Affiliations

Silver, M
  • Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK.
Fowden, A L

    MeSH Terms

    • Adrenal Cortex / drug effects
    • Adrenal Cortex / embryology
    • Adrenal Cortex Function Tests
    • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
    • Animals
    • Cosyntropin
    • Embryonic and Fetal Development / drug effects
    • Female
    • Fetal Blood / chemistry
    • Gestational Age
    • Horses / embryology
    • Hydrocortisone / blood
    • Pregnancy

    Citations

    This article has been cited 9 times.
    1. 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
    2. 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).
      doi: 10.3390/ani11061832pubmed: 34205258google scholar: lookup
    3. Kinsella HM, Hostnik LD, Rings LM, Swink JM, Burns TA, Toribio RE. Glucagon, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol in response to carbohydrates and fasting in healthy neonatal foals. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jan;35(1):550-559.
      doi: 10.1111/jvim.16024pubmed: 33415818google scholar: lookup
    4. Hart KA, Barton MH, Vandenplas ML, Hurley DJ. Effects of low-dose hydrocortisone therapy on immune function in neonatal horses. Pediatr Res 2011 Jul;70(1):72-7.
      doi: 10.1203/PDR.0b013e31821b502bpubmed: 21430601google scholar: lookup
    5. 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
    6. Wong DM, Vo DT, Alcott CJ, Stewart AJ, Peterson AD, Sponseller BA, Hsu WH. Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation tests in healthy foals from birth to 12 weeks of age. Can J Vet Res 2009 Jan;73(1):65-72.
      pubmed: 19337398
    7. 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.
      doi: 10.1007/s00424-005-1435-1pubmed: 15931536google scholar: lookup
    8. Giussani DA, Forhead AJ, Fowden AL. Development of cardiovascular function in the horse fetus. J Physiol 2005 Jun 15;565(Pt 3):1019-30.
      doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2004.078469pubmed: 15790668google scholar: lookup
    9. Costa A, Benedetto C, Fabris C, Giraudi GF, Testori O, Bertino E, Marozio L, Varvello G, Arisio R, Ariano M, Emanuel A. Cortisol in human tissues at different stages of life. J Endocrinol Invest 1996 Jul-Aug;19(7):463-71.
      doi: 10.1007/BF03349892pubmed: 8884541google scholar: lookup
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