Early insulin response to an intravenous glucose tolerance test in horses.

The research focuses on how horses respond to insulin immediately after the intravenous administration of glucose. An acute response in the insulin concentration was observed, similar to that seen in other species.

Key Objective

• The primary aim of this research was to explore the early insulin response in horses to an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Prior studies had concentrated on understanding the prolonged insulin response in horses, but the acute response, especially within minutes following the administration of glucose, remained largely unexamined.

Methodology

• The study was conducted using adult female horses (mares). They were administered glucose intravenously at a dosage of 0.33g/kg of body weight.
• The plasma insulin and glucose concentrations were then observed for a duration of 30 minutes post the rapid intravenous administration of glucose.

Results

• The plasma glucose concentration reached its maximum within one minute of cessation of glucose administration, the peak being at 664 +/- 54 mg/dl.
• The insulin concentration reached its apex two minutes post the end of glucose administration, peaking at 326 +/- 24 pmol/L.

Conclusion

• The outcomes from this research established that mares experience an acute response in their insulin concentration consistent with that observed in other species such as dogs, humans and cattle. This suggests an inter-species similarity in the immediate response to glucose administration.