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Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 9; 981920; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.981920

Seasonal variation of endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in healthy non-geriatric donkeys in Northern California.

Abstract: Elevated plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is often used to diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in horses. The hormone naturally increases in the fall in horses, and donkeys have been found to have higher ACTH concentrations than horses. However, circannual variation of ACTH has not been assessed in donkeys. The objective of the study was to establish seasonal variation of basal plasma ACTH concentrations over the course of a year in clinically healthy, non-geriatric donkeys. It was hypothesized that donkey ACTH concentrations would be higher than those reported in horses without PPID in all seasons, and that, similarly to horses, ACTH concentrations would further increase in the fall months. Twenty-six healthy adult donkeys (10 standards, 16 miniatures), a median (range) of 6 (2-13) years of age, were included. Donkeys were housed at a single location. Serial plasma samples were obtained monthly for 12 months. Plasma ACTH concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Data are presented as median (range), with a -value < 0.05 considered significant. ACTH concentrations were lowest in the winter and spring [12.8 (5.0-73.6) pg/ml and 12.5 (2.8-62.6) pg/ml, respectively], with an increase in the summer [53.2 (29.7-305.0) pg/ml], and peak in the fall [77.1 (12.4-319.0) pg/ml]. ACTH concentrations were highest in the month of September [122.0 (41.7-319.0) pg/ml]. Donkey ACTH concentrations were higher than equine reference ranges from May through November but showed similar circannual variation with dramatic increases in the fall months. Species-specific reference ranges are necessary for accurate interpretation of endocrinopathy screenings in donkeys.
Copyright © 2022 Humphreys, Kass, Magdesian, Goodrich and Berryhill.
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Publication Date: 2022-08-12 PubMed ID: 36032308PubMed Central: PMC9412165DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.981920Google 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.

This research explores the seasonal variation of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in healthy, non-geriatric donkeys in Northern California. The study found that ACTH concentrations in donkeys were higher than in horses without pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), particularly in the fall months, indicating the need for species-specific reference ranges when performing endocrinopathy screenings in donkeys.

Research Objectives and Hypothesis

  • The primary goal of this study was to assess the seasonal variation in basal plasma ACTH concentrations in healthy, non-geriatric donkeys over a year.
  • The researchers hypothesized that ACTH concentrations in donkeys would be higher than in horses without PPID across all seasons; it was also expected that ACTH levels would experience a significant increase in the fall months.

Research Methods

  • The study was conducted on 26 healthy adult donkeys of varying sizes and age ranges that were housed in one location.
  • Monthly plasma samples from the donkeys were collected for 12 months and the ACTH concentrations in these samples were determined via immunoassay.
  • The researchers considered a p-value of less than 0.05 to deduce statistical significance from the findings.

Key Findings

  • ACTH concentrations were found to be lowest during winter and spring, with an increase in the summer, and peaking in the fall.
  • The highest ACTH concentrations were recorded in the month of September.
  • Donkey ACTH concentrations were higher than equine reference ranges from May to November, but exhibited similar seasonal variation, showing substantial increases in fall.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that donkeys have higher ACTH concentrations than horses, with significant increases noted during fall.
  • This indicates a strong need for species-specific reference ranges for more accurate interpretations during endocrinopathy screenings in donkeys. The findings of this study will likely help veterinary assessment and diagnostic efforts in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Humphreys S, Kass PH, Magdesian KG, Goodrich E, Berryhill E. (2022). Seasonal variation of endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in healthy non-geriatric donkeys in Northern California. Front Vet Sci, 9, 981920. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.981920

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 981920
PII: 981920

Researcher Affiliations

Humphreys, Sarah
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.
Kass, Philip H
  • Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.
Magdesian, K Gary
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.
Goodrich, Erin
  • Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
Berryhill, Emily
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Goodrich EL, Llanos-Soto SG, Ivanek R, Pinn-Woodcock T, Frye E, Wells A, Purdy SR, Berryhill E, Place NJ. Both Season and Equid Type Affect Endogenous Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Concentrations in Healthy Donkeys, Mules and Hinnies in the United States. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 16;16(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani16020290pubmed: 41594480google scholar: lookup
  2. Mendoza FJ, Toribio RE, Perez-Ecija A. Metabolic and Endocrine Insights in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 10;14(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14040590pubmed: 38396558google scholar: lookup
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