Repeatability of TRH Stimulation Test for Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction during the Months of February through June
Repeatability of TRH Stimulation Test for Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction during the Months of February through June
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Date
2019-12-02
Authors
Boudle, Aleana
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University Honors College Middle Tennessee State University
Abstract
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is the most common endocrine
disease among aged horses. Veterinarians remain challenged when diagnosing PPID
unless it is an advanced case. Veterinarians rely on advanced clinical signs to be present
when diagnosing, but the keys signs like hypertrichosis will not appear until the disease
has reached an advanced stage. Currently, the thyrotropin-releasing stimulation test was
used to aid in diagnosing early cases of the disease, but it is unknown if the test is
repeatable in individual horses. It is known that the test is, however, limited to the months
of February to June, as that is when ACTH levels appear to be unaffected by seasonal
change. For the study, the horses had a baseline blood sample drawn followed
administration of the TRH, and another sample was collected at 10 minutes post
administration (T10 ACTH). The purpose of this study is to determine if the thyrotropin
releasing stimulation test T10ACTH level is repeatable during the months of February
through June. The results proved the test is repeatable when administered during the
months of February to June.
Description
Keywords
Basic and Applied Science,
TRH,
Equine,
Horse Science,
PPID