Domestic cats show episodic variation in plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), cortisol and thyroxine with circadian variation in plasma alpha-MSH concentrations

Blood samples were collected from 31 healthy domestic cats to characterize possible episodic and/or circadian variation in plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, thyroxine and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Samples were collected with minimal disturbance through indwelling jugular cannulae at two frequencies: at 20-min intervals for 3 h for evaluation of episodic variation, and at 2-h intervals for 48 or 72 h to identify possible circadian changes. Episodic peaks in profiles of all hormones were found in the majority of cats. When data were compared across four bleed periods (each of 3 h duration), no differences were detected in average hormone concentrations or characteristics of episodic pulses. Correlation analyses showed a significant (p < 0.001) relationship between concentrations of ACTH and cortisol (r = 0.44) when these hormones were measured in the same plasma sample. A weaker but significant correlation (r = 0.13, p < 0.05) was also detected between concentrations of ACTH and alpha-MSH, suggesting that proopiomelanocortin peptide secretion from the pars distalis and pars intermedia occurs at least on occasion in synchrony. No differences in hormonal profiles were noted when comparing data across sexes. Data from the studies designed to evaluate circadian change (48 and 72-h bleed periods) indicated that, of the four hormones, only concentrations of alpha-MSH changed with a significant circadian periodicity. A significant circadian component of period length 24-25 h was detected in 37% (seven of 19) of cats examined. Concentrations of alpha-MSH were greatest coincident with or shortly after the onset of darkness. These findings indicate that pituitary-adrenocortical hormones are secreted episodically in domestic cats and that, in contrast to the patterns shown by ACTH and cortisol, secretion of the pars intermedia product alpha-MSH occurs with a circadian rhythm in about one-third of cats.