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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2021; 35(4); 2002-2008; doi: 10.1111/jvim.16145

Relationship between endogenous plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration and reproductive performance in Thoroughbred broodmares.

Abstract: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is an endocrine disorder the clinical signs of which include infertility, but few reports have examined the relationship between PPID and reproductive performance in broodmares. Objective: Broodmares with infertility of unknown etiology were screened for PPID using baseline endogenous plasma ACTH concentrations, and its relationship with subsequent reproductive performance was analyzed. Methods: Sixty-seven Thoroughbred broodmares. Methods: Adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations were measured in autumn. The broodmares were divided into 3 groups based on endogenous plasma ACTH concentration (low, 100 pg/mL) as recommended by the Equine Endocrinology Group. We compared these results with those of other blood tests, clinical examinations, subsequent conception, and frequency of normal delivery. Results: The numbers of horses per group (percentage) were 22 (32.8%), 20 (29.9%), and 25 (37.3%). The mean ± SD ages (years) were 11.1 ± 3.4, 12.1 ± 4.5, and 13.0 ± 4.3, with no significant difference among groups. Mean ± SD plasma cortisol concentrations (μg/dL) were 4.0 ± 1.6, 7.1 ± 1.4, and 7.6 ± 1.9, with the intermediate and high ACTH groups having significantly higher results than the low ACTH group (P < .001). Conception rates were 77.3%, 89.5%, and 56.5% and normal delivery rates were 77.2%, 84.2%, and 43.5% with the percentage of each significantly lower in the high ACTH group (P = .02, P = .008, respectively). Conclusions: The study group of infertile broodmares may include horses with PPID. The reproductive performance of the high ACTH group was significantly lower than the other groups. Early diagnosis and treatment of infertile broodmares by screening plasma ACTH concentrations could help improve reproductive performance.
© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2021-05-24 PubMed ID: 34028083PubMed Central: PMC8295711DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16145Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study examines the relationship between the reproductive capabilities of Thoroughbred broodmares and their plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. The research found that those with higher ACTH levels had significantly worse reproductive outcomes, suggesting that routine screening for endocrine disorders like Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) could improve fertility.

Research Methodology

  • The study focused on 67 Thoroughbred broodmares that were screened for PPID. PPID is known to cause infertility among other clinical signs in horses. The disease was detected using baseline plasma ACTH concentrations.
  • These hormone concentrations were measured in autumn, during which horses naturally experience an increase in these levels.
  • The broodmares were divided into three groups based on their ACTH concentrations – low (100 pg/mL). These categories follow the recommendations from the Equine Endocrinology Group.
  • The data about ACTH concentrations was then compared with other blood tests, clinical exams, and the eventual rates of successful conception and healthy deliveries.

Findings of the Research

  • The distribution of horses in the low, intermediate and high ACTH groups was 22 (32.8%), 20 (29.9%), and 25 (37.3%) respectively. There was no significant difference in the age of horses across these groups.
  • The plasma cortisol concentrations increased with ACTH levels, indicating a correlation. The cortisol concentrations in the intermediate and high ACTH groups were significantly higher than the low ACTH group.
  • The conception rates were 77.3%, 89.5%, and 56.5% and normal delivery rates were 77.2%, 84.2%, and 43.5% for low, intermediate, and high ACTH groups respectively. The high ACTH group had notably lower conception and delivery rates.

Conclusion of the Study

  • The high ACTH group’s inferior reproductive performance suggests a link between elevated plasma ACTH concentrations and infertility in broodmares. This group possibly had unidentified cases of PPID, the endocrine disorder suggested by the hormone assay.
  • The researchers concluded that screening for high ACTH concentrations could be beneficial in detecting and treating infertility in Thoroughbred broodmares. Early diagnosis could enhance reproductive performance by enabling appropriate treatment for endocrine disorders like PPID.

Cite This Article

APA
Tsuchiya T, Noda R, Ikeda H, Maeda M, Sato F. (2021). Relationship between endogenous plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration and reproductive performance in Thoroughbred broodmares. J Vet Intern Med, 35(4), 2002-2008. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16145

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 4
Pages: 2002-2008

Researcher Affiliations

Tsuchiya, Takeru
  • Northern Farm Tenei, Fukushima, Japan.
  • United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
Noda, Ryusuke
  • Equine Medical Center, Hidaka Horse Breeders Association, Hokkaido, Japan.
Ikeda, Hiroki
  • Equine Medical Center, Hidaka Horse Breeders Association, Hokkaido, Japan.
Maeda, Masaya
  • Equine Medical Center, Hidaka Horse Breeders Association, Hokkaido, Japan.
Sato, Fumio
  • United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
  • Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Pituitary Diseases / veterinary
  • Pituitary Gland, Intermediate

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Menzies-Gow NJ. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 20;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080780pubmed: 40872730google scholar: lookup
  2. Horibe Y, Nakabayashi A, Murata S, Hashimoto T, Tabata T. Outcomes of Ovulation Induction Aimed to Pregnancy in Eight Hypopituitarism Patients. Cureus 2024 Apr;16(4):e58819.
    doi: 10.7759/cureus.58819pubmed: 38784333google scholar: lookup
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