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Consistent capacity for adrenocortical response to ACTH administration in pigs
D P Hennessy1, T Stelmasiak, N E Johnston
1Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Veterinary Research Institute, Attwood, Victoria, Australia.
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) significantly increases cortisol levels in pigs. Individual pig responses vary, but the adrenocortical response is consistent and repeatable over time.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Animal Physiology
Background:
- Assessing adrenocortical function is crucial in swine research and diagnostics.
- Understanding the variability and consistency of the adrenocortical response to ACTH in pigs is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of ACTH administration on plasma cortisol concentrations in pigs.
- To establish a reliable dynamic test for evaluating adrenocortical response in swine.
- To determine optimal ACTH dosage and blood sampling time for this test.
Main Methods:
- Pigs (purebred and crossbred) received either 25 IU of ACTH or saline intramuscularly.
- Plasma cortisol levels were measured immediately before and 60 minutes after administration.
- A dynamic test was developed to classify pigs as high or low responders.
Main Results:
- ACTH administration significantly increased plasma cortisol compared to saline (P < 0.01).
- Cortisol response to ACTH was similar between purebred and crossbred pigs.
- Individual pigs showed a fivefold range in response, but responses were repeatable over 3 months.
- Optimal synthetic ACTH dose was 50 IU, with blood collection at 60 minutes post-administration.
Conclusions:
- Pigs exhibit a consistent and repeatable adrenocortical response to ACTH.
- A dynamic test can effectively identify high and low responders in a pig population.
- The established test parameters (50 IU ACTH, 60-minute sampling) are suitable for assessing swine adrenocortical function.