Effects of high and moderate non-structural carbohydrate hay on insulin, glucose, triglyceride, and leptin concentrations in overweight Arabian geldings.

The research investigates the impact of high and moderate non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) hay on insulin, glucose, triglyceride, and leptin levels in overweight Arabian geldings (adult male horses).

Research Objective

• The main aim of this study was to understand how different levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in hay influence key metabolic outputs in overweight Arabian geldings. The focus was on insulin, glucose, leptin, and triglyceride concentrations.

Research Design & Methodology

• Eight overweight Arabian geldings were subjected to two different diets of orchardgrass hays, one high in NSC (18% dry matter) and the other moderate (12% dry matter).
• The research was conducted in a crossover design over a span of two 28-day periods. The crossover design is used to ensure that each participant experiences every condition of the experiment.
• Body weight and body condition assessments were conducted, and blood samples were taken on the 0th, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days of each period to assess the metabolic indicators of glucose, leptin, insulin and triglycerides.

Research Findings & Interpretations

• There were no noticeable differences in plasma glucose and serum leptin between the two types of hay diets (high NSC and moderate NSC).
• Serum insulin levels were affected by the type of hay, day, and interaction between day and type of hay. More specifically, insulin levels were found to be higher on day 7 for horses fed high NSC hay compared to those fed moderate NSC hay. But the difference in insulin levels was not observed by the 14th day.
• The study also detected changes in plasma triglyceride concentrations influenced by the period, interaction between day and period, and interaction between day and type of hay.
• The study findings concluded that hyperinsulinemia (excess levels of insulin circulating in the blood relative to the level of glucose) was not observed in the overweight Arabian geldings when fed either moderate or high NSC hay.

Study Implications

• The study gives valuable insights into how diet can affect insulin and triglyceride concentrations in overweight horses. This could help design diet strategies to manage and prevent metabolic disorders in horses.
• The findings indicate that overweight Arabian geldings may not react adversely to the intake of hay with higher NSC, at least in the short-term. More extensive research would be needed to understand long-term effects.