title: Luteinizing hormone-dependent Cushing's syndrome in a pet ferret (Mustela putorius furo).
abstract: Hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets is associated with increased circulating concentrations of adrenal androgens, whereas plasma concentrations of cortisol and ACTH are usually not affected. Here, we report on a 5-year-old castrated male pet ferret (Mustela putorius furo) in which the major presenting signs were polyuria and polyphagia. Routine biochemistry values were within their reference ranges. The urinary corticoid:creatinine ratio (UCCR) was increased and the plasma ACTH concentration was suppressed. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an enlarged right adrenal gland and atrophy of the left adrenal gland. Administration of hCG resulted in an increase of plasma cortisol and androstenedione concentrations. Based on these findings LH/hCG-dependent hypercortisolism and hyperandrogenism were suspected and treatment was started with a depot GnRH-agonist implant containing 9.4mg deslorelin. Within 3 weeks after placement of the implant all clinical signs had disappeared. Three months later the endocrine parameters had normalized, while abdominal ultrasonography revealed that the right adrenal gland had diminished in size and the left adrenal gland was considered of normal size. No recurrences of clinical signs were seen within 2 years after placement of the deslorelin implant. At that time urinary corticoid and plasma hormone concentrations were within their reference ranges, and no further change in the size of the adrenal glands was seen. In conclusion, this is the first confirmed case of LH-dependent hypercortisolism in a ferret that was treated successfully with a depot GnRH-agonist.
authors.affiliation: Division of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine of the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands. N.J.Schoemaker@uu.nl
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Schoemaker
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kuijten
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galac
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000652:urine; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004343:Drug Implants; D005289:Ferrets; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011141:Polyuria / Q000662:veterinary; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D004343:Drug Implants; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D003404:Creatinine; C066438:deslorelin; D006854:Hydrocortisone