2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Different hormonal responses are significantly linked to changes in physical performance. It might be possible to use these as markers to monitor exercise stress and indicate possible overtraining in the case of a negative energy balance in horses presenting signs of fatigue. Sepsis remains the main cause of death in neonatal foals. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulates the response to sepsis-associated stress. We and others have shown that relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI), characterized by an impaired cortisol response to ACTH, is common and associated with mortality in foals. Most studies evaluating adrenocortical function in foals have been focused on cortisol, while other adrenocortical steroids, steroid precursors, and neurosteroids have not been extensively investigated.