Expression of dopamine and somatostatin receptors in healthy adrenal glands and in cortisol-secreting adrenal gland tumors in the dog

Abstract

This study focused on cortisol-producing adrenocortical tumors in dogs. In this project, the presence of somatostatin and dopamine receptors in the healthy and cortisol-secreting adrenocortical tumor of dogs has been studied. We concentrated on determining D1, D2, sst1, sst2, sst3 and sst5. For this purpose, a qPCR technique was used.

The results show that sst1, sst2, sst3 and D2 are all present in normal adrenal tissue and in cortisol-secreting adrenocortical adenomas and carcinomas. In adenomas, sst­1 is significantly down-regulated compared to the control group. Furthermore, there is a significant up-regulation of sst3 in the tumors compared to the controls.