Evaluation of a Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone Stimulation Test Protocol for Use in Alpaca

Principal investigator:

Rebecca Davies, Ph.D
University of Minnesota

Thyroid hormones are important modulators of growth and metabolism and affect nearly every body system. Diagnostic tests that determine thyroid hormone concentration and the ability of the thyroid gland to respond to regulatory stimulation are readily available for most species. However, appropriate testing protocols for thyroid function in the alpaca have not been established. In this study we will determine whether a thyroid stimulation test protocol used in other species is useful for evaluating the responsiveness of the alpaca thyroid gland.