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Home / Equine Research Bank / Domest Anim Endocrinol / Breed differences in insulin sensitivity and insulinemic res...
Domestic animal endocrinology2013; 47; 101-107; doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.11.001

Breed differences in insulin sensitivity and insulinemic responses to oral glucose in horses and ponies of moderate body condition score.

Abstract: Breed-related differences may occur in the innate insulin sensitivity (SI) of horses and ponies, an important factor believed to be associated with the risk of laminitis. The aim of this study was to measure the glucose and insulin responses of different breeds of horses and ponies in moderate body condition to a glucose-containing meal and to compare these responses with the indices of SI as determined by a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT). Eight Standardbred horses, 8 mixed-breed ponies, and 7 Andalusian-cross horses with a mean ± SEM BCS 5.0 ± 0.3 of 9 were used in this study. Each animal underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in which they were fed a fiber-based ration (2.0 g/kg BW) containing 1.5 g/kg BW added glucose, as well as a standard FSIGT with minimal model analysis. The glucose response variables from the OGTT were similar between groups; however, the peak insulin concentration was higher in ponies (94.1 ± 29.1 μIU/mL; P = 0.003) and Andalusians (85.3 ± 18.6; P = 0.004) than in Standardbreds (21.2 ± 3.5). The insulin area under the curve was also higher in ponies (13.5 ± 3.6 IU · min · L(-1); P = 0.009) and Andalusians (15.0 ± 2.7; P = 0.004) than in Standardbreds (3.1 ± 0.6). Insulin sensitivity, as determined by the FSIGT, was lower in Andalusians (0.99 ± 0.18 × 10(-4)/[mIU · min]) than in Standardbreds (5.43 ± 0.94; P < 0.001) and in ponies (2.12 ± 0.44; P = 0.003) than in Standardbreds. Peak insulin concentrations from the OGTT were negatively correlated with SI (P < 0.001; rs = -0.75). These results indicate that there are clear breed-related differences in the insulin responses of horses and ponies to oral and intravenous glucose. All animals were in moderate body condition, indicating that breed-related differences in insulin dynamics occurred independent of obesity.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-11-09 PubMed ID: 24308928DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.11.001Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research investigated how different breeds of horses and ponies, in moderate body conditions, vary in their insulin sensitivity and responses to glucose meals. The findings show clear distinctions between the breeds concerning their insulin responses to oral and intravenous glucose, regardless of obesity.

Breed Differences in Insulin Sensitivity

  • The study aimed to explore insulin sensitivity in different horse and pony breeds. Insulin sensitivity (SI) refers to how responsive body cells are to insulin – a hormone that helps regulate glucose (sugar) in the body. More sensitivity implies better glucose regulation. This trait is crucial, given its believed association with the risk of laminitis, a painful and potentially crippling disease affecting horses’ hooves.

Method of Study

  • This examination involved 23 animals: 8 Standardbred horses, 8 mixed-breed ponies, and 7 Andalusian-cross horses with a moderate Body Condition Score (BCS) around 5.0 out of 9.
  • The animals underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) where they were fed fiber-based rations mixed with glucose, and a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) developed for minimal model analysis. The OGTT measures the body’s ability to metabolize glucose ingested orally, while the FSIGT tests the insulin sensitivity and secretion by administering glucose directly into the bloodstream.

Findings

  • The study discovered that glucose response variables from the OGTT were similar across the breeds, indicating they metabolize ingested glucose in a similar way.
  • However, the insulin responses were noticeably different. Both ponies and Andalusians exhibited higher peak insulin concentration than Standardbreds during the OGTT – with ponies at 94.1 μIU/mL, Andalusians at 85.3 μIU/mL, and Standardbreds significantly lower at 21.2 μIU/mL. This implies that ponies and Andalusians produce more insulin in response to glucose intake than Standardbreds do.
  • Insulin sensitivity, as tested by the FSIGT, was lower in Andalusians and ponies than in Standardbreds, meaning they are less responsive to insulin’s glucose-regulating effects.
  • These results suggest that peak insulin concentrations from the OGTT inversely correlate with insulin sensitivity; the higher the insulin concentration, the lower the insulin sensitivity.

Breed-related Differences in Insulin Dynamics

  • The results clearly demonstrate breed-related differences in insulin responses to both oral and intravenous glucose, irrespective of their body condition or obesity. This finding is significant as it points to inherent breed genetics influencing insulin sensitivity and response, which could help guide better feeding and care strategies for different breeds, tailored to their specific metabolic responses.

Cite This Article

APA
Bamford NJ, Potter SJ, Harris PA, Bailey SR. (2013). Breed differences in insulin sensitivity and insulinemic responses to oral glucose in horses and ponies of moderate body condition score. Domest Anim Endocrinol, 47, 101-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.11.001

Publication

Domestic animal endocrinology
ISSN: 1879-0054
NlmUniqueID: 8505191
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 47
Pages: 101-107
PII: S0739-7240(13)00135-5

Researcher Affiliations

Bamford, N J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
Potter, S J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
Harris, P A
  • Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray, LE14 4RT, UK.
Bailey, S R
  • Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia. Electronic address: bais@unimelb.edu.au.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Glucose Tolerance Test / veterinary
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / physiology
  • Insulin / physiology
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology

Citations

This article has been cited 40 times.
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