Association of Season and Pasture Grazing with Blood Hormone and Metabolite Concentrations in Horses with Presumed Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction

"Association of Season and Pasture Grazing with Blood Hormone and Metabolite Concentrations in Horses with Presumed Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Frank N, Elliott SB, Chameroy KA, Tóth F, Chumbler NS, McClamroch R. - Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

Abstract

Background: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is a risk factor for pasture-associated laminitis, which follows a seasonal pattern. Hypothesis: Hormonal responses to season differ between PPID and unaffected horses. Animals: Seventeen horses aged 8-30 years (14 horses >/= 20 years of age). ... Conclusions and Clinical Importance: PPID did not affect the timing or duration of the seasonal increase in ACTH concentrations, but higher values were detected in affected horses. Insulin concentrations differed between groups, but hyperinsulinemia was rarely detected. Glucose and insulin concentrations peaked in September when horses were grazing on pasture, which could be relevant to the seasonal pattern of laminitis."

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