Effects of melatonin administration on the clinical course of adrenocortical disease in domestic ferrets.
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.


METHODS
Noncontrolled clinical trial.


METHODS
10 adult ferrets with clinical signs of adrenocortical disease (confirmed via serum steroid hormone concentration assessments).


METHODS
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
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.
Ramer
Jan C
JC
Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Benson
Keith G
KG
Morrisey
James K
JK
O'Brien
Robert T
RT
Paul-Murphy
Joanne
J
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000303:Adrenal Cortex Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009929:Organ Size; D010166:Palliative Care; D013997:Time Factors
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D008550:Melatonin