Elevated ACTH Could Signal Complicated Conception Sponsored by:
A Japanese study using infertile mares has found that many have elevated levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH is linked to the endocrine disorder pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).
Dr. Takeru Tsuchiya and a research team used 67 Thoroughbred broodmares with unknown fertility issues for the study. Each horse had a physical exam and was deemed healthy.
The mares were tested for PPID in the fall using baseline plasma ACTH concentrations; they were divided into three groups based on their ACTH concentration level: low, intermediate, and high.
The team found 77.3 percent conception rates in the low ACTH group, and 56.5 percent in the high ACTH group. The high ACTH group didn t have a significant difference in the number of breedings, but it had lower conception rates.