Pain causes increased concentrations of glucocorticoid metabolites in horse feces

The concentration of 11,17-dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA), a group Of cortiso l metabolites, was measured using enzyme immunoassay in fecal samples of ho rses experiencing painful episodes. One group of horses consisted of 10 sta llions castrated (samples were collected daily for 10 days); the other grou p was made up of 29 horses which were brought to an animal hospital because of signs of colic (samples were collected twice daily for six days). Before castration, median concentrations of 10.5 nmol/kg feces were measure d. On days 1 and 2 after castration, median 11,17-DOA values increased up t o 26.2 and 50.0 nmol/kg feces, respectively, and decreased thereafter to le vels lower than at the beginning of the sampling period. High variations were measured between individual cases of colic. In animals with colic, ail horses excreted more than 33 nmol 11,17-DOA/kg feces for v arious periods. The highest concentration measured was 885 nmol/kg feces. O ne animal out of the 29 colic horses did not shaw any clinical signs of pai n upon arrival in the hospital. The 11,17-DOA values were below 17 nmol/kg feces in all those samples. From this data we conclude, that the concentrat ion of 11,17-DOA. in feces is a parameter for painful situations that have occurred one or two days earlier.