ACTH Assay

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Sections available in full article Overview, Uses, Sampling, Source of test material, Quantity of test material, Sample collection technique, Quality control, Test (s), Technique (intrinsic) limitations, Technician (extrinsic) limitations, Result data, Normal (reference) values, Abnormal values, Errors and Artifacts, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr David Bruyette DVM DipACVIM
Mrs Helen Evans BSc Hons

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.

Uses

In combination

  • In combination with ACTH stimulation test ACTH stimulation test or low-dose dexamethasone suppression test Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test for discrimination of two forms of hyperadrenocorticism Hyperadrenocorticism.
  • Very high levels seen in hypoadrenocorticism Hypoadrenocorticism.

Result data

Normal (reference) values

  • Most normal animals 5-100 pg/ml.

Abnormal values

  • <5.0 pg/ml with ADH.
  • >100 pg/ml with PDH.
  • >500 pg/ml with hypoadrenocorticism.

Errors and Artifacts

  • Poor storage of sampling may result in falsely low [ACTH].
  • [ACTH] elevated with stress.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Recent references from 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.

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