Comparative assessment of the functional state of the thyroid gland and the adrenal cortex in cats of different ages

Abstract

The study of the secretory activity of the endocrine glands is one of the main methods for assessing their functional state and the health of animals in general. In the experiment, we studied the activity of thyroid and corticosteroid hormones in 20 healthy cats aged 1 to 14 years of different breeds and sexes. In the blood serum of the experimental animals, the concentration of total and free thyroxine, total and free triiodothyronine, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol was determined by the enzyme immunoassay. The results of the study showed that the concentration of thyroid and corticosteroid hormones in the blood serum of cats differs markedly depending on age. the functional activity of the adrenal cortex is maximal in cats aged 5 months to 1 year (first group). Thus, in comparison with this group, the level of ACTH in the blood serum of cats of the second group (1-3 years old) significantly decreased by 15.8% (p≤0.05), the third (3-6 years old) and the fourth (animals over 6 years old). ) by 37.7 and 22.1%, respectively (p≤0.01). Also revealed a significant decrease in the concentration of cortisol in animals in the third and fourth groups by 22.1 and 26.8%, respectively, compared with the first group (p≤0.01). The least functional activity of the thyroid gland and adrenal cortex is observed in cats aged 6 years and older. The greatest functional activity of the adrenal cortex is observed in cats aged from 5 months to 1 year. The data obtained make it possible to more effectively detect disorders in the functioning of the thyroid and adrenal glands in animals, taking into account age-related changes.