Leuprolide acetate treatment of adrenocortical disease in ferrets.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of leuprolide acetate, a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog, in ferrets with adrenocortical diseases.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
20 ferrets with adrenocortical disease diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and plasma sex hormone concentrations.


METHODS
Ferrets were treated with leuprolide (100 microg, IM, once), and plasma hormone concentrations were measured before and 3 to 6 weeks after treatment.


RESULTS
Leuprolide treatment resulted in significant reductions in plasma estradiol, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations and eliminated or reduced clinical signs associated with adrenocortical disease. Decreases in vulvar swelling, pruritus, and undesirable sexual behaviors and aggression were evident 14 days after treatment; hair regrowth was evident by 4 weeks after treatment. The response to treatment was transitory, and clinical signs recurred in all ferrets. Mean +/- SEM time to recurrence was 3.7 +/- 0.4 months (range, 1.5 to 8 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that leuprolide can be safely used to temporarily eliminate clinical signs and reduce sex hormone concentrations in ferrets with adrenocortical diseases. However, the safety of long-term leuprolide use in ferrets has not been investigated, and the long-term effects of leuprolide in ferrets with nodular adrenal gland hyperplasia or adrenal gland tumors are unknown.
Wagner
R A
RA
Department of Laboratory Animal Resources, School of Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Bailey
E M
EM
Schneider
J F
JF
Oliver
J W
JW
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000303:Adrenal Cortex Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005289:Ferrets; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012449:Safety; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D016729:Leuprolide