Effects of age on serum glucose and insulin concentrations and glucose/insulin ratios in neonatal foals and their dams during the first 2 weeks postpartum.
Abstract: Maintaining serum glucose concentrations is critical in neonatal foals and is often dysregulated in illness; however, few studies have assessed the effects of age, or variation of glucose and insulin, in neonates and their postpartum dams. This study aimed to serially evaluate serum glucose and insulin concentrations and glucose/insulin (G/I) ratios in seven healthy foals and their dams immediately postpartum and at 1-2 and 10-12days of age. The hypotheses were that: (1) there would be wide temporal variation in hourly glucose and insulin measurements among foals; and (2) measured parameters in foals would differ from those of postpartum mares. Pre-suckle glucose concentrations were lower than post-suckle (5.15±1.61mmol/L and 7.16±3.13mmol/L, respectively, P=0.0377). Glucose remained >5mmol/L but varied hourly by up to 4.22mmol/L and 2.93mmol/L for individual foals 1-2 and 10-12days old, respectively. There were no significant changes in insulin over time (median 8.50 [4.32-18.4]μU/mL, 1-2days old) in foals. The maximum hourly variation of insulin for an individual foal was 7.53μU/mL and 14.78μU/mL (1-2days and 10-12days old, respectively). Glucose/insulin ratios increased from pre- and post-suckle to the 1-2days old period, with no significant changes thereafter. Mares had highest glucose and insulin concentrations and lowest G/I ratios immediately postpartum compared to later time points and to foals (median 7.37 [range, 4.34-8.78]mmol/L, median 30.94 [range, 20.35-49.20]μU/mL, 4.3 [2.43-7.04], respectively). In conclusion, neonatal foals exhibited wide variation in serum glucose and insulin concentrations but were not hypoglycemic. Mares developed transient insulin resistance in the immediate post-partum period.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-02-01 PubMed ID: 30902183DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.01.013Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study investigates the changes in blood sugar and insulin levels in newborn horses and their mothers within the first two weeks after birth, highlighting considerable variations and the development of brief insulin resistance in mothers post-delivery.
Objectives of the Study
- The main purpose of this research was to understand the changes in blood sugar and insulin levels in newborn foals and their dams over time, specifically at the immediate stage post-delivery, at 1-2 days old, and at 10-12 days old.
- The researchers aimed to ascertain whether the measured parameters in foals would differ from those of the mother horses.
Findings of the Study
- The research confirmed the presence of noticeable variations in blood sugar and insulin levels in the foals. Specifically, they discovered that blood sugar levels were lower before feeding than after (averages being 5.15mmol/L and 7.16mmol/L, respectively).
- The blood sugar levels remained above 5mmol/L but had an hourly variation of up to 4.22mmol/L for 1-2 days old foals, and 2.93mmol/L for 10-12 days old foals.
- Despite the variation in glucose levels, there were no significant insulin differences over time in foals.
- The blood sugar to insulin ratios (G/I ratios) increased from the stage directly after feeding to the 1-2 day period, with no significant changes found afterwards.
Comparison with Postpartum Mares
- Contrasting the results from the foals, in mothers, the research found the highest blood sugar and insulin concentrations and the lowest G/I ratios immediately after giving birth.
- This finding is indicative of the development of temporary insulin resistance in the mares post delivery.
Conclusion of the Study
- The study concluded that neonatal foals exhibited a wide range in serum glucose and insulin levels, however, they were not hypoglycemic, meaning their blood sugar levels didn’t drop below the normal range.
- Additionally, the mares underwent brief insulin resistance immediately after giving birth, which had implications on their blood sugar and insulin levels and ratios.
Cite This Article
APA
Berryhill EH, Magdesian KG, Tadros EM, Edman JE.
(2019).
Effects of age on serum glucose and insulin concentrations and glucose/insulin ratios in neonatal foals and their dams during the first 2 weeks postpartum.
Vet J, 246, 1-6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.01.013 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, One Garrod Dr., Davis CA, 95616, USA. Electronic address: ehberryhill@ucdavis.edu.
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, 4125 Beaumont Rd., Lansing, MI 48910, USA.
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / blood
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn / blood
- Blood Glucose / metabolism
- Female
- Horses / blood
- Horses / physiology
- Insulin / blood
- Male
- Postpartum Period
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Go YY, Hazard NW, Balasuriya UBR, Chapman AM, Fitton NS, Kenéz Á, Andrews FM. Clinical evaluation of the Immulite® 1000 chemiluminescent immunoassay for measurement of equine serum insulin. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1018230.
- Kinsella HM, Hostnik LD, Snyder HA, Mazur SE, Kamr AM, Burns TA, Mossbarger JC, Toribio RE. Comparison of insulin sensitivity between healthy neonatal foals and horses using minimal model analysis. PLoS One 2022;17(1):e0262584.
- Schott HC 2nd, Strachota JR, Marteniuk JV, Refsal KR. Long-Term Response of Equids With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction to Treatment With Pergolide. J Vet Intern Med 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70109.
- Galinelli NC, Bamford NJ, Erdody ML, Mackenzie SA, Warnken T, Harris PA, Sillence MN, Bailey SR. Effect of pergolide treatment on insulin dysregulation in horses and ponies with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1612-1622.
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