Biomarkers for Cushing's Disease in Horses/The use of adrenocorticotrophic hormone as a potential biomarker of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses

Vet J. 2010 Jul;185(1):58-61. Epub 2010 Jun 10.

The use of adrenocorticotrophic hormone as a potential biomarker of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses.
Lee ZY, Zylstra R, Haritou SJ.

Pegasus Equine Diagnostics Ltd., R3 Building, BioCity Nottingham, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham NG1 1GF, UK.

"Elevated concentrations of plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in horses with pituitary disturbances are often associated with dysfunction of the pituitary's pars intermedia. The majority of such animals exhibit an increased susceptibility to laminitis, particularly during the autumn. The 24h plasma ACTH profiles of horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and those of matched controls, were determined in March, June, September and December. ..."