Assessment of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical axis function using a vasopressin stimulation test in neonatal foals

Background Bacterial sepsis is the leading cause of death in foals and is associated with hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical axis (HPAA) dysfunction. HPAA function can be evaluated by an arginine‐vasopressin (AVP) stimulation test. Hypotheses/Objectives Administration of AVP will stimulate a dose‐dependent rise in systemic adrenocorticotropin‐releasing hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in neonatal foals. There will be no response seen in corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and baseline AVP will be within reference interval. Animals Twelve neonatal foals,