Determination of multi-steroid profiles of cats with hyperaldosteronism or other diseases: a retrospective study
Author(s)
Watson, Alice H
Gilligan, Lorna C
Taylor, Angela E
Arlt, Wiebke
Syme, Harriet M
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Multi-steroid profiles are proven to help with the diagnostic approach to adrenal disorders in humans.
Objectives
Compare liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) measurement of aldosterone in feline blood samples. Evaluate multi-steroid profiles in cats with hyperaldosteronism.
Animals
Client-owned cats with low/normal aldosterone by RIA (low aldo, n = 15), high aldosterone by RIA (high aldo, n = 6) and overt primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA, n = 6).
Methods
Exploratory retrospective case–control study. Feline blood multi-steroid profiles were analyzed with LC–MS/MS and compared with results from a commercially available RIA in widespread clinical use.
Results
Aldosterone measurement by LC–MS/MS and RIA was strongly correlated (r = 0.93, p < 0.001) but showed a bias of 56 (95% CI: 104–7) pmol/L, with RIA giving higher values. Creatinine concentration was not significantly associated with the discrepancy between methods (p = 0.95). Cats with PHA had significantly lower serum concentrations of cortisol and glucocorticoid precursors (17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol), testosterone, and significantly higher dihydrotestosterone and 5α-dihydroprogesterone concentrations than the low aldo group. Pregnenolone concentrations were significantly lower in the PHA group than in the high aldo group.
Conclusion and Clinical Importance
Quantification of aldosterone by either LC–MS/MS or RIA is adequate for PHA diagnosis in the clinical setting, with appropriate method-specific reference intervals. Cats with PHA had different concentrations of some steroids compared with the control groups, but overt steroid excess (other than aldosterone) was not observed.
Multi-steroid profiles are proven to help with the diagnostic approach to adrenal disorders in humans.
Objectives
Compare liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) measurement of aldosterone in feline blood samples. Evaluate multi-steroid profiles in cats with hyperaldosteronism.
Animals
Client-owned cats with low/normal aldosterone by RIA (low aldo, n = 15), high aldosterone by RIA (high aldo, n = 6) and overt primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA, n = 6).
Methods
Exploratory retrospective case–control study. Feline blood multi-steroid profiles were analyzed with LC–MS/MS and compared with results from a commercially available RIA in widespread clinical use.
Results
Aldosterone measurement by LC–MS/MS and RIA was strongly correlated (r = 0.93, p < 0.001) but showed a bias of 56 (95% CI: 104–7) pmol/L, with RIA giving higher values. Creatinine concentration was not significantly associated with the discrepancy between methods (p = 0.95). Cats with PHA had significantly lower serum concentrations of cortisol and glucocorticoid precursors (17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol), testosterone, and significantly higher dihydrotestosterone and 5α-dihydroprogesterone concentrations than the low aldo group. Pregnenolone concentrations were significantly lower in the PHA group than in the high aldo group.
Conclusion and Clinical Importance
Quantification of aldosterone by either LC–MS/MS or RIA is adequate for PHA diagnosis in the clinical setting, with appropriate method-specific reference intervals. Cats with PHA had different concentrations of some steroids compared with the control groups, but overt steroid excess (other than aldosterone) was not observed.
Date Issued
2025-09-01
Date Acceptance
2025-07-31
Citation
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM), 2025, 39 (5)
ISSN
0891-6640
Publisher
Wiley
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM)
Volume
39
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40813337
Subjects
CONGENITAL ADRENAL-HYPERPLASIA
DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS
DIRECT RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
feline
FELINE
IMMUNOASSAY
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
MANAGEMENT
METABOLOMICS
PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM
primary hyperaldosteronism
Science & Technology
SPECTROMETRY
steroid metabolome
steroidomics
SUPPRESSION
Veterinary Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
e70209
Date Publish Online
2025-08-14