Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Abstract

Background Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum cortisol concentrations increase with illness-associated stress. Dynamics of plasma ACTH and serum cortisol concentrations in adult horses with systemic illness are undocumented. Hypothesis/Objective To determine whether ACTH and cortisol concentrations and the ACTH/cortisol ratio vary with survival, the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), or ischemic gastrointestinal lesions at admission, or throughout hospitalization. Animals One hundred fifty-one adult horses. Methods Prospective study measuring serum cortisol and plasma ACTH at admission and on days 2, 4, and 6 of hospitalization. Horses were grouped by outcome (survival, SIRS status, number of SIRS criteria [SIRS score], SIRS severity group, and the presence of an ischemic lesion). Differences between groups and over time for ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratio were investigated with a mixed effect model. Receiving operator characteristic curves and odds ratios were calculated for survival and ischemia. Results In all groups, ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratio significantly decreased over time (P < .0001). ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratio were higher at admission in nonsurvivors, and ACTH and cortisol were higher in horses with ischemic lesions (P < .01). Horses with ACTH above reference interval at admission were 6.10 (2.73-13.68 [95% confidence interval]) times less likely to survive (P < .0001). No significant difference in ACTH, cortisol, and ACTH/cortisol ratio between horses with different SIRS status, scores, or groups were detected, although nonsurvivors had a higher SIRS score (P < .0001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Pituitary and adrenal responses are altered in nonsurviving horses and those with an ischemic gastrointestinal lesion.

Keywords

adrenal; CIRCI; colic; endocrinology; equine

Published in

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
2019
Publisher: WILEY

SLU Authors

• Stewart, Allison

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Auburn University
  • University of Queensland

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15620

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/101949