Effects of delmadinone acetate on pituitary-adrenal function, glucose tolerance and growth hormone in male dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise the effects of delmadinone acetate on the pituitary-adrenal axis, glucose tolerance and growth hormone concentration in normal male dogs and dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia.


METHODS
A prospective study involving nine normal male dogs and seven with prostatic hyperplasia.


METHODS
Delmadinone acetate was administered to six normal male dogs and seven dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia at recommended dose rates (1.5 mg/kg subcutaneously at 0, 1 and 4 weeks). Three normal controls received saline at the same intervals. Blood concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, glucose, insulin and growth hormone were measured over 50 days. Intravenous glucose tolerance and ACTH response tests were performed before and after treatment in the nine normal animals.


RESULTS
A substantial suppression of basal and 2 h post-ACTH plasma cortisol secretion was demonstrated after one dose in all dogs given delmadinone acetate. Individual responses after the second and third administration varied between recovery in adrenal responsiveness to continued suppression. Plasma ACTH concentration was also diminished after one treatment. No effects were evident on glucose tolerance or serum growth hormone concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Delmadinone acetate causes adrenal suppression from inhibition of release of ACTH from the pituitary gland. Treated dogs may be at risk of developing signs of glucocorticoid insufficiency if subjected to stressful events during or after therapy. Neither glucose intolerance nor hypersomatotropism seems likely in male dogs given delmadinone acetate at the recommended dose rate, but the potential for excessive growth hormone secretion in treated bitches remains undetermined.
Court
E A
EA
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales.
Watson
A D
AD
Church
D B
DB
Emslie
D R
DR
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002715:Chlormadinone Acetate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test / Q000662:veterinary; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011372:Progestins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation
D001786:Blood Glucose; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D007328:Insulin; D011372:Progestins; D002715:Chlormadinone Acetate; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; C005928:delmadinone; D006854:Hydrocortisone