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Temporally specific adrenocorticotropic hormone reference intervals for horses in South Africa.
Abstract: An endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration above the reference interval (RI) is commonly used as means for diagnosing equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Basal ACTH concentrations are highly dependent on photoperiod and RIs should be month- and location-specific. To date, no ACTH RIs have been specifically established for South Africa. This study aimed to determine geographically and seasonally relevant RIs for equine ACTH in the Gauteng province of South Africa. A longitudinal prospective study was conducted over twelve months to determine ACTH RIs for a representative population of healthy South African horses in the Gauteng province. Eighty clinically healthy horses under 12 years of age were recruited for monthly venous blood sample collection, from July 2019 to June 2020. ACTH was measured using a chemiluminescent assay. RIs were constructed for each month of the year. This South African population showed similar temporal changes in ACTH concentrations to those previously observed in other locations. Upper reference limits were at their lowest in early summer (21.4 pg/ml, 90% CI 20.8-21.7) with a pronounced increase in autumn (60.6 pg/ml, 90% CI 53.1-62.7), and tapered off in winter (22.3 pg/ml, 90% CI 19.9-23.2). The month-specific ACTH RIs generated in this study will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and monitoring of PPID in the local equine population. These results highlighted the previously recommended need for seasonal and location-specific RIs.
Publication Date: 2022-07-12 PubMed ID: 35934900DOI: 10.36303/JSAVA.001Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- Blood Analysis
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease Diagnosis
- Endocrine System
- Epidemiology
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Geographical Differences
- Hormones
- Horses
- Longitudinal Study
- Photoperiod
- Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
- Seasonal Variation
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
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 study investigates the reference intervals (RIs) for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in horses in the Gauteng province of South Africa, as part of efforts to improve diagnosis and monitoring of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). The research found that ACTH concentrations varied by season and geographic location, reaffirming the need for localised and periodic reference intervals.
Background of the Study
- The researchers explained that an endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration above the reference interval (RI) is often used as a diagnostic marker for equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), a common endocrine disorder in horses.
- ACTH levels are influenced by photoperiod and as such, RIs should vary by month and location; however, no ACTH RIs have yet been developed specifically for South Africa.
Research Objectives and Methods
- The study aimed to create geographic and seasonally specific ACTH RIs in Gauteng province, South Africa.
- The research was a prospective study, conducted over a year, aimed at determining ACTH RIs for healthy horses in Gauteng.
- Eighty healthy horses under 12 years of age were recruited, from whom blood samples were collected monthly from July 2019 to June 2020.
- ACTH was measured in these samples using a chemiluminescent assay.
Results and Conclusions
- The study found similar temporal changes in ACTH concentrations in the South African horses as those observed in other locations.
- Upper reference limits were lowest in early summer (21.4 pg/ml, 90% confidence interval [CI] 20.8-21.7), but saw a significant rise in autumn (60.6 pg/ml, 90% CI 53.1-62.7), before tapering off in winter (22.3 pg/ml, 90% CI 19.9-23.2).
- Month-specific ACTH RIs can enhance the accuracy of diagnosing and monitoring PPID in the local horse population in South Africa.
- The findings underscore the previous recommendation for seasonal and location-specific RIs for ACTH.
Cite This Article
APA
Fisher D, Schliewert EC, Hooijberg EH.
(2022).
Temporally specific adrenocorticotropic hormone reference intervals for horses in South Africa.
J S Afr Vet Assoc, 93(2), 116-123.
https://doi.org/10.36303/JSAVA.001 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
- South Africa
- Prospective Studies
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Pituitary Diseases / diagnosis
- Pituitary Diseases / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Menzies-Gow NJ. Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 20;12(8).
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