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Equine veterinary journal2011; 43(5); 552-561; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00330.x

Assessment of body fat in the pony: part I. Relationships between the anatomical distribution of adipose tissue, body composition and body condition.

Abstract: Evaluation of equine body fat content is important for nutritional and clinical purposes. However, our understanding of total body fat and its regional distribution in the body is sparse. Currently, body fat evaluation relies on the subjective assessment of body condition score (BCS), which has never been validated against 'gold standard' chemical analysis or dissection measurements in ponies. Objective: To define the relationships between subjective (BCS), objective (morphometric) indices of body fat and 'gold standard' measurements of actual body composition. Objective: BCS and morphometry offer valid, noninvasive methods for determination of body fat in equids. Methods: Seven mature (mean ± s.e. 13 ± 3 years, 212 ± 14 kg, BCS 1.25-7/9), Welsh Mountain pony mares, destined for euthanasia (for nonresearch purposes), were used. For all ponies, body mass (BM), BCS and various morphometric measurements were recorded. Following euthanasia, all ponies were systematically dissected. Discrete white adipose tissue (WAT) depots were independently described. Gross, body chemical composition was determined by proximate analyses. Results: Total somatic soft tissues increased linearly (r(2) = 1.00), whereas body WAT content (1-26% live BM) increased exponentially (r(2) = 0.96), with BCS. WAT was equally distributed between internal and external sites in all animals irrespective of BCS. Nuchal fat was a poor predictor of total WAT (r(2) = 0.66). Periorbital WAT did not alter with BCS (r(2) = 0.01). Heart girth:withers height and ultrasonic retroperitoneal fat depth were closely associated with total, chemically-extracted lipid which comprised 1-29% live BM (r(2) = 0.91 and 0.88, respectively). Conclusions: The exponential relationship between BCS and total body WAT/lipid suggests that BCS is unlikely to be a sensitive index of body fat for animals in moderate-obese states. Morphometric measurements (body girths and retroperitonel fat depth) may be useful to augment subjective BCS systems.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2011-03-04 PubMed ID: 21496091DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00330.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper investigates the relationships between certain indices or measures used to evaluate the body fat in ponies, including body condition score (BCS), morphometry (anatomical measurement and mathematical representation of the body), and ‘gold standard’ measurements obtained through physical dissection and chemical analysis of the body. It provides evidence that the BCS method might not be a sensitive enough measure for assessing body fat in moderate to obese ponies and suggests that the use of morphometric measurements could provide more accurate results.

Methodology

  • The study involved seven mature Welsh Mountain pony mares that were destined for euthanasia for non-research related purposes.
  • Various data points were gathered, including body mass, BCS, and several morphometric measurements.
  • Post-euthanasia, the ponies were dissected and the white adipose tissue (WAT) depots (fat stores) were evaluated.
  • The overall gross body chemical composition was ascertained through proximate analyses (a series of tests in which the chemical composition of a product is determined).

Results

  • As per the findings, the total amount of soft tissues in the body increased in a linear fashion, whereas body WAT content increased exponentially with the BCS.
  • WAT was distributed equally between internal and external sites in all animals, ultimately refuting any association with the BCS.
  • The study also found that nuchal fat (fat located at the base of the animal’s neck) was a poor predictor of total WAT.
  • Additionally, periorbital WAT (fat located around the eyes) did not correlate with BCS.
  • However, heart girth:withers (the measurement around the body of the horse and the area between the shoulder blades) height and ultrasonic retroperitoneal fat depth (measurement of fat depth in the abdominal cavity) were closely associated with total lipid (fat) content.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that due to the exponential relationship between BCS and total body WAT/lipid, BCS likely lacks the sensitivity required to accurately assess the body fat of animals in moderate to obese states.
  • The researchers advise the use of morphometric measurements – specifically body girths and retroperitoneal fat depth – to supplement and enhance the traditional BCS system.

Cite This Article

APA
Dugdale AH, Curtis GC, Harris PA, Argo CM. (2011). Assessment of body fat in the pony: part I. Relationships between the anatomical distribution of adipose tissue, body composition and body condition. Equine Vet J, 43(5), 552-561. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00330.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 5
Pages: 552-561

Researcher Affiliations

Dugdale, A H A
  • University of Liverpool, School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Neston, UK.
Curtis, G C
    Harris, P A
      Argo, C Mc

        MeSH Terms

        • Adipose Tissue, White / physiology
        • Animals
        • Body Composition / physiology
        • Body Weight / physiology
        • Female
        • Horses / physiology

        Grant Funding

        • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

        Citations

        This article has been cited 26 times.
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