Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome in Donkeys.
Authors: Gehlen Heidrun, Schwarz Bianca, Bartmann Claus, Gernhardt Jennifer, Stöckle Sabita D
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome in Donkeys Donkeys are increasingly recognised as experiencing the same metabolic and endocrine disorders as horses, yet diagnostic protocols and reference ranges developed for equines cannot be directly applied without modification. Gehlen and colleagues undertook a comprehensive review of asinine metabolic syndrome (AMS) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) in donkeys, establishing donkey-specific reference ranges for insulin and glucose, and evaluating dynamic testing protocols including intravenous glucose tolerance tests, combined insulin tolerance tests, and various PPID diagnostic procedures (dexamethasone suppression test, thyrotropin releasing hormone test, and combined suppression/TRH testing). Key findings revealed significant physiological differences between donkeys and horses in their responses to dynamic tests, with species-specific and seasonal reference ranges proving essential for accurate diagnosis—particularly important given conflicting data on PPID incidence in donkeys, where laminitis and hypertrichosis emerge as primary clinical signs. Weight loss and exercise form the foundation of AMS management, whilst pergolide remains the recommended pharmacological treatment for PPID in donkeys. For practitioners, these findings underscore the critical importance of using donkey-specific diagnostic criteria rather than applying equine reference values, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes in this often-underserved species.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Do not assume equine reference ranges and diagnostic criteria apply to donkeys—use donkey-specific reference values for insulin, glucose, and PPID testing to avoid misdiagnosis
- •Weight management and exercise are first-line treatments for donkey metabolic syndrome; monitor for laminitis and hypertrichosis as key indicators of PPID requiring pergolide therapy
- •When performing dynamic endocrine tests in donkeys, expect different responses than horses; consider seasonal variations and use species-appropriate interpretation thresholds
Key Findings
- •Donkeys suffer from PPID and metabolic syndrome similar to horses but with donkey-specific reference ranges for diagnosis
- •Laminitis and hypertrichosis are the main clinical signs of PPID in donkeys with seasonal variations in reference ranges
- •Donkeys show different responses to dynamic testing (IVGTT and combined insulin tolerance test) compared to horses, requiring species-specific diagnostic protocols
- •Weight loss and exercise form the primary therapeutic approach for asinine metabolic syndrome, with pergolide recommended for PPID management