Dietary carbohydrates and fat influence radiographic bone mineral content of growing foals.
Abstract: Hydrolyzable carbohydrate intake in horse diets may become excessive when rapidly growing pastures are supplemented with grain-based concentrates. The substitution of fat and fiber for hydrolyzable carbohydrate in concentrates has been explored in exercising horses but not in young, growing horses. Our objective was to compare bone development in foals that were fed pasture and concentrates rich in sugar and starch (corn, molasses) or fat and fiber (corn oil, beet pulp, soybean hulls, oat straw). Forty foals were examined, 20 each in 1994 and 1995. In each year, 10 mares and their foals were fed a corn and molasses supplement (SS) and 10 others were fed a corn oil and fiber supplement (FF). The concentrates were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous, and mineral content was balanced to complement the pastures and meet or exceed NRC requirements. Dorsopalmar radiographs were taken of the left third metacarpal monthly from birth to weaning and then every other month until 1 yr of age. Bone density was estimated using imaging software and an aluminum stepwedge. Radiographic examination indicated differences in medial, lateral, and central bone mineral content of the metacarpal III. Bone mineral content increased with age, and a plateau was observed during winter. Bone mineral content was lower in weanlings and yearlings fed the FF supplement than in those fed SS. Subjective clinical leg evaluations indicated differences in physitis, joint effusion, and angular and flexural limb deformities in response to age, and possibly to season. Regression analysis indicated positive relationships between bone mineral content and body weight, age, and body measurements. Nutrient and chemical interactions, such as the binding of calcium by fat and fiber, may alter the availability of elements necessary for bone development.
Publication Date: 2000-01-21 PubMed ID: 10641881DOI: 10.2527/1999.77123330xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study finds that the type of diet fed to growing horses, specifically the level of carbohydrates versus the fat content, impacts the mineral content of their bones. The study concluded that horses consuming a diet high in sugar and starch rather than fat and fiber showed increased bone mineral content.
Methodology
- The study was conducted over two years (1994 and 1995) with a total participation of 40 foals (20 each in 1994 and 1995).
- In each year, a set of 10 mares and their foals were fed a diet supplement rich in sugar and starch which was primarily made of corn and molasses (SS). The other set of 10 mares and their foals were fed a diet supplement rich in fat and fiber. This comprised corn oil, beet pulp, soybean hulls, and oat straw (FF).
- The researchers ensured both the diets were isocaloric (providing the same amount of calories), isonitrogenous (having the same nitrogen content), and had a balanced mineral content to complement the pasture feed and meet or exceed the National Research Council (NRC) nutritional requirements.
- Dorsopalmar (the direction from the back to the palms or soles) radiographs were taken of the left third metacarpal (a bone in the forelimb) monthly from birth till weaning, and then every other month until the foals were a year old.
Findings and Analysis
- The researchers observed that bone mineral content increased with the age of the foals and plateaued during winter seasons.
- The bone mineral content was found to be lower in the foals that were weaned and fed the diet supplement rich in fat and fiber (FF) compared to those fed the sugar and starch-rich (SS) supplements.
- Clinical evaluations suggested differences in physitis (inflammatory condition), joint effusion (accumulation of fluid in the joint), and angular as well as flexural limb deformities. These differences were attributed to the age of the foals and possibly, seasonality.
- Regression analysis showed positive relationships between the bone mineral content of the foals and various factors such as their weight, age, and other body measurements.
Conclusion
The research concluded that dietary adjustments, such as substituting carbohydrates with fat and fiber, can lead to changes in the bone mineral content in growing horses. They speculate that these changes could be due to the way nutrients and chemicals interact – for instance, fat and fiber might bind calcium, altering the availability of this vital element for bone development. Further research is needed to explore this theory.
Cite This Article
APA
Hoffman RM, Lawrence LA, Kronfeld DS, Cooper WL, Sklan DJ, Dascanio JJ, Harris PA.
(2000).
Dietary carbohydrates and fat influence radiographic bone mineral content of growing foals.
J Anim Sci, 77(12), 3330-3338.
https://doi.org/10.2527/1999.77123330x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-4040, USA. Rhonda.M.Hoffman@uconn.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Bone Density / drug effects
- Dietary Carbohydrates / pharmacology
- Dietary Fats / pharmacology
- Female
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / metabolism
- Male
- Osteogenesis
- Photometry
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