Cortisol - ACTH Stimulation Test

Gel Technique

  Collect baseline serum sample
  Administer 200 IU of gel ACTH (IM)
  Collect Post- ACTH specimen 2 hours after administering gel ACTH

Cortrosyn (synthetic ACTH) Technique

  Collect baseline serum sample
  Administer 1.0 mg of Cortrosyn (IV)
  Collect Post- Cortrosyn sample 1 hour after administering Cortrosyn

Cortisol - Dex Supression / ACTH Stimulation Test

  Collect baseline serum sample
  Administer 10 mg of Dexamethazone (IV)
  Collect Post-Dex Sample 4 hours after administering Dexamethazone
  Following the Post-Dex collection, perform the ACTH stimulation test listed above

Cortisol - Overnight Dex Supression Test

  Collect baseline serum sample ( 12:00 to 1:00 PM)
  Inject 40 μg/kg Dexamethazone (IM)
  Collect 2nd sample at 12:00 PM the next day

Equine HcG Stimulation Test Protocol

This test will allow for the differentiation of castrated or cryptorchid horses (not suitable for donkeys) over the age of 3 years.

Protocol requirements for 2 hour method:

  Collect baseline serum sample
  Inject 6,000 IU HcG by IV (available from Chorulon, Intervet and other companies)
  Collect second serum sample 1-2 hours after HcG injection
  label both specimens appropriately with name and time drawn

Protocol requirements for 24 hour method:

  Collect baseline serum sample
  Inject 10,000 IU HcG by IV (available from Chorulon, Intervet and other companies)
  Collect second serum sample 19-24 hours after HcG injection
  label both specimens appropriately with name and time drawn

Some veterinarians prefer to 2 timed draws when giving this dosage. The draw times of the 3 total specimens are the following:

  Pre - injection
  Post- 1 hour injection
  Post- 19 hour injection

Specimen Processing Procedure

For optimum specimen integrity and result reporting, the following can be used as a guide for the drawing of blood specimens. Some tests such as Glucose, Calcium and those with enzymatic activity can be affected by deviations from this procedure.

 Fill clot (RED TOP) or heparin tube (GREEN TOP) first, then EDTA tube (PURPLE) second. This method will minimize chemical contamination from the EDTA in the chemistry specimen.

 Immediately after filling the appropriate tubes, invert each tube 10 times. This will maximize the anticoagulant properties as well as the clot activators in some Clot tubes. Failure to do this could result in a decreased platelet count as well as clotted CBC specimen.

 Place appropriate identification on all specimens.

 Allow clot tubes to sit undisturbed 10-15 minutes before centrifugation. Heparin tubes maybe spun immediately.  Centrifuge for 10 minutes, between 3000-3500 rpm.

 If placing serum or plasma into a transport container such as a pour-off tube, the use of a pipette is recommended.

 When possible, specimens should be refrigerated until mailing.

 We hope that you will find this procedure helpful, to allow for the best possible care for your patients and their owners.

 If you have any questions or comments regarding specimen collection, please do not hesitate to call 800-874-1326 or visit us on the web at www.vetpathlab.com

 EIA (Coggin's Test) specimens are encouraged to be sent in unspun in the original tube.