Overview

• ACTH is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland.
• Regulates production of steroid hormones from adrenal cortex.
• Secreted in pulsatile manner.
• Little overlap between [ACTH] in dogs with PDH and ADH.
• Useful discriminatory test once diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism made.

Sampling

Tests

Technique (intrinsic) limitations

• Some overlap in [ACTH] between normal and hyperadrenocorticoid dogs.

Technician (extrinsic) limitations

• Lability of hormone necessitates care in handling sample.

Result Data

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.
• Gould S M, Baines E A, Mannion P A, Evans H & Herrtage M E (2001) Use of endogenous ACTH concentration and adrenal ultrasonography to distinguish the cause of canine hyperadrenocorticism. JSAP 42, 113-121 PubMed.