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Adrenal sex hormone imbalance or congenital adrenal hyperplasia-like syndrome is a recently described disorder in dogs. The clinical syndrome is characterised by onset of alopecia between 1 and 5 years, symmetrical alopecia (affecting trunk, caudal thighs, neck or perineum), hyperpigmentation, changes in coat colour, quality and delayed regrowth of hair at the site of biopsy or trauma. Pomeranians and Chow Chows are predisposed. The pathophysiology of this presentation is somewhat controversial. Many of the previously described therapy responsive dermatopathies (GH responsive, castration response, Lysodren responsive, melatonin responsive etc) have very similar clinical presentations and perhaps the response to those therapies is non-specific. Realisation of these similarities has lead to the use of the term ‘Alopecia X’. The condition is thought to be due to a partial deficiency in glucocorticoid synthesis which results in the accumulation of the adrenal sex hormones that are precursors for these steroids but unfortunately, such enzyme deficiencies have yet to be demonstrated.

Adrenal sex hormone imbalance or congenital adrenal hyperplasia-like syndrome is a recently described disorder in dogs. The clinical syndrome is characterised by onset of alopecia between 1 and 5 years, symmetrical alopecia (affecting trunk, caudal thighs, neck or perineum), hyperpigmentation, changes in coat colour, quality and delayed regrowth of hair at the site of biopsy or trauma. Pomeranians and Chow Chows are predisposed. The pathophysiology of this presentation is somewhat controversial. Many of the previously described therapy responsive dermatopathies (GH responsive, castration response, Lysodren responsive, melatonin responsive etc) have very similar clinical presentations and perhaps the response to those therapies is non-specific. Realisation of these similarities has lead to the use of the term ‘Alopecia X’. The condition is thought to be due to a partial deficiency in glucocorticoid synthesis which results in the accumulation of the adrenal sex hormones that are precursors for these steroids but unfortunately, such enzyme deficiencies have yet to be demonstrated.

== Authors & References ==

== Authors & References ==

[[NationWide Laboratories]]

[[NationWide Laboratories]]