From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2006-12-06 23:51:55 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] new adrenal disease study
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
BEGIN QUOTE
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006 Dec 1;229(11):1743-8.
Effects of melatonin administration on the clinical course of
adrenocortical disease in domestic ferrets.
Ramer JC, Benson KG, Morrisey JK, O'brien RT, Paul-Murphy J.
Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706.
Objective-To evaluate the effect of oral administration of melatonin
on clinical signs, tumor size, and serum steroid hormone
concentrations in ferrets with adrenocortical disease. Design-
Noncontrolled clinical trial. Animals-10 adult ferrets with clinical
signs of adrenocortical disease (confirmed via serum steroid hormone
concentration assessments). Procedures-Melatonin (0.5 mg) was
administered orally to ferrets once daily for 1 year. At 4-month
intervals, a complete physical examination; abdominal
ultrasonographic examination (including adrenal gland measurement);
CBC; serum biochemical analyses; and assessment of serum estradiol,
androstenedione, and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations were
performed. Serum prolactin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
concentrations were evaluated at the first, second, and last
examinations, and serum cortisol concentration was evaluated at the
first and last examinations. Results-Daily oral administration of
melatonin greatly affected clinical signs of adrenocortical disease
in ferrets; changes included hair regrowth, decreased pruritus,
increased activity level and appetite, and decreased vulva or
prostate size. Mean width of the abnormally large adrenal glands was
significantly increased after the 12-month treatment period.
Recurrence of clinical signs was detected in 6 ferrets at the 8-month
evaluation. Compared with pretreatment values, serum 17alpha-
hydroxyprogesterone and prolactin concentrations were significantly
increased and decreased after 12 months, respectively. Conclusions
and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that melatonin is a useful,
easily administered, palliative treatment to decrease clinical signs
associated with adrenocortical disease in ferrets, and positive
effects of daily treatment were evident for at least an 8-month
period. Oral administration of melatonin did not decrease adrenal
gland tumor growth in treated ferrets.
PMID: 17144819 [PubMed - in process]
END QUOTE
Sukie (not a vet)
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