Endocrine diseases assessment in horses
Principle Investigator
Description
Equine metabolic diseases are disorders that affect a horse’s metabolism, often leading to abnormal hormone function. The most common are Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), linked to obesity and insulin resistance, and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), a condition affecting older horses due to pituitary gland dysfunction. These diseases increase the risk of laminitis, a painful hoof condition.
Testing Requirements
We are conducting a study to investigate hormone responses to the OST, TRH and AVP stimulation tests in horses with PPID and EMS. We would like to invite you to enroll your horse in our study. To enroll your horse in this study, treatment with pergolide must be discontinued for 10 days. Potential complications of PPID include opportunistic infections, laminitis, and muscle atrophy; however, the risk of developing these signs within 10 days is minimal.
For the OST test, we will first collect a baseline blood sample. Then, we will administer Karo syrup by mouth and collect additional blood samples 60 minutes and 90 minutes later. The AVP stimulation test requires baseline sample collection, administration of AVP (10 IU), and collection of additional samples at 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes. There are no side effects of AVP administration described in horses.
For the TRH stimulation test, we will also collect a baseline blood sample before administering 1 mg of TRH IV. Additional blood samples will be collected 10 minutes after the stimulation. No adverse effects have been reported after OST or TRH stimulation
Enrollment Start
08/01/2025
Enrollment Finish
08/01/2026
Eligibility
Adult horses
Contact
Katarzyna Dembek
kdembek@ncsu.edu
919.513.6630
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