Effect of stress on steroid hormone levels in racehorses.
Cortisol and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples from race horses. None of 6 stressed male horses had low cortisol levels but testosterone levels (0.81 +/- 0.15 nmol/l) were significantly lower than in healthy horses (1.86 +/- 0.31 nmol/l). The conclusion was made that adrenocortical insufficiency is not a common association of stress in race horses. The reduction in testosterone levels is probably a nonspecific response similar to that seen in other species.
D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D006736:Horses; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008297:Male; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone