Characterization of the endocrine-metabolic profile used to evaluate thyroid function in dogs of the English and french bulldog breed

Abstract

This study investigates whether breed or gender affect serum hormone and metabolite concentrations used to evaluate thyroid function in the Bulldog breed. Sixty-seven healthy adult English Bulldogs (n = 20), French Bulldogs (n = 17), German Shepherds (n = 15) and mongrels (n = 15) of both sexes were selected. Determination of serum total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was performed via a competitive enzymatic chemiluminescent solid-phase immunoassay. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were analyzed by spectrophotometry. Serum concentrations of TT4, FT4, TSH, cholesterol, and triglycerides for French and English Bulldogs were within the international reference ranges for the canine population. Breed had a significant effect on serum levels of TT4 (P = 0.0012) and FT4 (P<0.0001); English and French Bulldogs had higher serum TT4 and FT4 concentrations than German Shepherds and mongrels. Gender had a significant effect only on serum FT4 levels; females exhibited higher levels (P = 0.0309). Cholesterol, triglycerides, and TSH serum concentrations did not differ with breed or gender. Healthy French and English Bulldogs included in this study had higher serum concentrations of TT4 and FT4 compared with German Shepherds and mongrels, and the concentration of FT4 was also higher in females.