INVESTIGATION OF THE REPRODUCTIVE AND GROWTH-HORMONE STATUS OF DOGS AFFECTED BY IDIOPATHIC RECURRENT FLANK ALOPECIA

The reproductive and growth hormone status of a group of 12 neutered d ogs affected by idiopathic recurrent flank alopecia was investigated a t bath maximum and minimum photoperiod using the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test, the xylazine stimulation test and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) assay. When compared with a grou p of nine neutered control dogs, the plasma reproductive hormone conce ntrations were not significantly different. with one exception; a sign ificantly greater post-ACTH plasma progesterone concentration was dete cted in the affected group at minimum photoperiod (P<0.05). The signif icance of this finding in isolation is unclear. Growth hormone respons e to intravenous xylazine was assessed in the affected group at maximu m photoperiod only and was found to be within normal limits in eight o f the dogs, Serum IGF-I concentrations were significantly greater in t he affected group at maximum photoperiod but the groups were not signi ficantly different at minimum photoperiod. These results suggest that dogs with idiopathic recurrent flank alopecia are of normal reproducti ve and growth hormone status.