The present investigation addresses the pharmacokinetics of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), intramuscularly (i.m.) administered to goats. Nine pluriparous does of the Boer goat breed, 2-6 years of age and weighing 45-60 kg, were administered 500 IU hCG (2 ml Chorulon) deep into the thigh musculature 18 h after superovulatory FSH treatment. Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein at 2 h intervals for the first 24 h, at 6 h intervals until 42 h, and at 12 h intervals until 114 h after administration. After centrifugation, plasma hCG concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Pharmacokinetical parameters were as follows: lag time, 0.4 (S.E.M. 0.1) h; absorption rate constant, 0.34 (S.E.M. 0.002) h; absorption half-life, 2.7 (S.E.M. 0.5) h; elimination rate constant, 0.02 (S.E.M. 0.002) h; biological half-life, 39.4 (S.E.M. 5.1) h; and apparent volume of distribution, 16.9 (S.E.M. 4.3) l. The plasma hCG profile was characterized by an absorption phase of 11.6 (S.E.M. 1.8) h and an elimination phase of 70.0 (S.E.M. 9.8) h, with considerable individual variation in bioavailability and pharmacokinetical parameters. Biological half-life was negatively correlated (P!0.05) with peak concentration (rZK0.76), absorption rate constant (rZK0.78), and elimination rate constant (rZK0.87). The results indicate that after rapid absorption, hCG remains in the circulation for an extended period. This has to be taken into account when assessing the stimulatory response to hCG treatment on an ovarian level.

Background: Vitiligo is a dermatological disorder characterized by functional melanocyte loss, affecting 1% of the global population. The prevalence and impact of thyroid hormone and autoantibody levels on pediatric patients with vitiligo remain unclear. Aim: This study aims to assess the incidence of autoimmune thyroid disorder in pediatric vitiligo patients and investigate the impact of thyroid hormone and autoantibody levels on vitiligo activity. Subjects and Methods: A total of 68 children with vitiligo participated in this cross-sectional study, which included measurements of thyroid function, autoantibody tests, and examinations of the patients' vitiligo type, duration, activity, and onset. Results: Autoimmune thyroiditis was detected in 33.8% of patients. Positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were significantly associated with a family history, duration, and activity of vitiligo. Positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were significantly related to active vitiligo, sudden onset, and higher TSH levels. Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies correlated positively with age, duration, and TSH levels but negatively with T3 and T4 levels. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were positively correlated with TSH. Positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies extended disease duration. Active vitiligo and rapid onset were more frequent with positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Conclusions: This study concluded that pediatric vitiligo patients, particularly females and those with a family history of autoimmune diseases, have a higher frequency of thyroid dysfunction and autoantibodies. Moreover, regular monitoring of thyroid function and autoantibodies among pediatric patients with vitiligo is important to detect progression to overt hypothyroidism. Consequently, practitioners should recognize and treat thyroid-related conditions early and be aware of the relationship between vitiligo and autoimmune thyroid disease.

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