Every year the FEI Bureau approves changes to the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List according to recommendations made by ‘The List Group’. The Group consists of 12 experts, including veterinarians, pharmacologists, toxicologists and research scientists. The List revisions are made following extensive consultation by the Group in response to scientific advances and information available regarding the use of substances in horses. The List review process is continuous and results in the publication of an updated version which becomes effective each January 1st. This year the FEI changed the status of one medication and added a few new names to the list.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

ACTH is a corticotropic hormone that in nature is produced by the mammalian pituitary gland that sits within the skull just below the brain. ACTH travels through the bloodstream and acts directly on the adrenal glands (adjacent to the kidneys) to stimulate the production of natural steroids, most notably cortisol, in response to stress. This drug was previous considered a Banned Substance but has been moved to the Controlled Substance list because it is, ‘considered as having a therapeutic value in equine medicine.’

Synthetic ACTH can be produced and is used in a variety of diagnostic tests and for some treatments in human medicine. Diagnostically, ACTH can be injected into a patient in order to measure the adrenal glands’ response and categorize adrenal diseases such as Addison’s Disease and Cushing’s Disease in humans. ACTH was briefly investigated as a diagnostic test for Equine Cushing’s Disease (PPID). However, in horses it is the pituitary gland that is diseased, not the adrenal glands, and testing that investigates pituitary function are more sensitive.

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