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Vet Pathol 42:92-97 (2005)
© 2005 American College of Veterinary Pathologists
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS AND CASE REPORTS

Melanotroph Pituitary Adenoma in a Cat with Diabetes Mellitus

B. P. Meij, R. H. van der Vlugt-Meijer, T. S. G. A. M. van den Ingh, G. Flik and A. Rijnberk

Abstract

A 13-year-old male, castrated, crossbred cat was referred for insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus. The cat had a ravenous appetite and a dull coat. Basal urinary corticoid/creatinine ratios were normal. In the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test there was no suppression of the (nonelevated) plasma cortisol concentration, whereas the (nonelevated) plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration declined to low values. Basal plasma {alpha}-melanocyte–stimulating hormone ({alpha}-MSH) concentrations were highly elevated (> 1,500 ng/liter). Computed tomography revealed a pituitary tumor originating from the pars intermedia (PI). After microsurgical transsphenoidal hypophysectomy, the clinical signs resolved and the cat no longer required insulin administration. Microscopic examination of the surgical specimen revealed a pituitary adenoma originating from the PI with infiltration into the neural lobe. The adenoma immunostained intensely positive for {alpha}-MSH and only weakly for ACTH. It is concluded that the ACTH-independent cortisol production was probably due to the (weak) glucocorticorticotropic effects of the extremely high plasma concentration of {alpha}-MSH and related peptides.

Key words: Adenoma; cats; diabetes mellitus; hypophysectomy; melanotroph; pituitary.

Request reprints from Dr. B. P. Meij, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.154, NL-3508 TD Utrecht (The Netherlands). E-mail: b.p.meij{at}vet.uu.nl


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Copyright © 2005 by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.