PLASMA-LEVELS OF CORTISOL, TESTOSTERONE AND GROWTH-HORMONE IN PUDU (PUDU-PUDA MOLINA) AFTER ACTH ADMINISTRATION

Cortisol, testosterone and growth hormone (GH) levels were determined in the plasma of five adult male pudu (Pudu puda) after intramuscular administration (i.m.) of ACTH. Cortisol concentration quickly increased from < 0.5 mu g/dl to > 2.5 mu g/dl after i.m. administration of 20 IU of porcine ACTH. Testosterone levels did not significantly increase as compared with pretreatment levels, varying from 0.5 ng/ml to around 3 ng/ml. GH levels did not increase after ACTH; however, GH concentrations increased during the pretreatment period (from 20-30 ng/ml to around 55 ng/ml) but then decreased to basal values.