FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
PloS one2015; 10(4); e0122596; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122596

Effects of moderate amounts of barley in late pregnancy on growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status of pre-weaning horses.

Abstract: In stud management, broodmares are commonly fed concentrates in late pregnancy. This practice, however, was shown to correlate with an increased incidence of osteochondrosis in foals, which may be related to insulin sensitivity. We hypothesized that supplementation of the mare with barley in the last trimester of pregnancy alters the pre-weaning foal growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status. Here, pregnant multiparous saddlebred mares were fed forage only (group F, n=13) or both forage and cracked barley (group B, n=12) from the 7th month of pregnancy until term, as calculated to cover nutritional needs of broodmares. Diets were given in two daily meals. All mares and foals returned to pasture after parturition. Post-natal growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status were investigated in pre-weaning foals. B mares maintained an optimal body condition score (>3.5), whereas that of F mares decreased and remained low (<2.5) up to 3 months of lactation, with a significantly lower bodyweight (-7%) than B mares throughout the last 2 months of pregnancy. B mares had increased plasma glucose and insulin after the first meal and after the second meal to a lesser extent, which was not observed in F mares. B mares also had increased insulin secretion during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Plasma NEFA and leptin were only temporarily affected by diet in mares during pregnancy or in early lactation. Neonatal B foals had increased serum osteocalcin and slightly increased glucose increments and clearance after glucose injection, but these effects had vanished at weaning. Body measurements, plasma IGF-1, T4, T3, NEFA and leptin concentrations, insulin secretion during IVGTT, as well as glucose metabolism rate during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps after weaning, did not differ between groups. Radiographic examination of joints indicated increased osteochondrosis relative risk in B foals, but this was not significant. These data demonstrate that B or F maternal nutrition has very few effects on foal growth, endocrinology and glucose homeostasis until weaning, but may induce cartilage lesions.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2015-04-13 PubMed ID: 25875166PubMed Central: PMC4395399DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122596Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 article explores the effects of feeding barley to pregnant mares in their last trimester and finds that it does not substantially affect the growth, glucose metabolism, or osteoarticular health of their offspring by weaning, despite inducing cartilage lesions.

Objectives and Methodology

  • The study was designed to investigate the relationship between the diet of pregnant mares and health of their foals, specifically in terms of growth, glucose metabolism, and osteoarticular status.
  • The researchers hypothesized that consuming barley in the last trimester might have implications on these parameters.
  • To assess this, pregnant saddlebred mares were divided into two groups: those fed only forage (group F) and those given a diet of forage and cracked barley (group B).
  • The diets were distributed in two daily meals from the 7th month of pregnancy until birth, matching the mares’ nutritional needs.
  • All mares and foals were returned to pasture after birth and various parameters were measured in the foals before weaning.

Outcomes and Findings

  • The researchers found that mares fed barley maintained an optimal body condition above 3.5, while those in group F had a lower score (below 2.5) and body weight, by 7%, in the concluding 2 months of pregnancy.
  • Increased levels of plasma glucose and insulin were observed in group B mares after the two meals, a response not seen in group F mares.
  • B mares also showed increased insulin secretion during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT).
  • However, both plasma NEFA (non-esterified fatty acids) and leptin levels were only temporarily influenced by the diet.
  • The B group neonates exhibited increased serum osteocalcin and marginally increased glucose increments and clearance after glucose injection, but these effects were no longer observed by weaning.
  • Other parameters including body measurements, plasma IGF-1, T4, T3, NEFA, and leptin concentrations, insulin secretion during IVGTT, as well as glucose metabolism rate during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps after weaning, revealed no differences between the groups.
  • Although radiographic examination showed a higher incidence of osteochondrosis in B foals, this finding wasn’t statistically significant.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that the type of maternal nutrition (B or F) had minimal effects on the growth, endocrinology, and glucose homeostasis of foals up to the point of weaning.
  • However, it was suggested that feeding pregnant mares barley might lead to the development of cartilage lesions in their foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Peugnet P, Robles M, Mendoza L, Wimel L, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Guillaume D, Camous S, Berthelot V, Toquet MP, Richard E, Sandersen C, Chaffaux S, Lejeune JP, Tarrade A, Serteyn D, Chavatte-Palmer P. (2015). Effects of moderate amounts of barley in late pregnancy on growth, glucose metabolism and osteoarticular status of pre-weaning horses. PLoS One, 10(4), e0122596. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0122596

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: e0122596
PII: e0122596

Researcher Affiliations

Peugnet, Pauline
  • INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
Robles, Morgane
  • INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
Mendoza, Luis
  • Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
Wimel, Laurence
  • IFCE, Station Expérimentale de la Valade, F-19370, Chamberet, France.
Dubois, Cédric
  • IFCE, Station Expérimentale de la Valade, F-19370, Chamberet, France.
Dahirel, Michèle
  • INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
Guillaume, Daniel
  • INRA, UMR85, Physiologie de la Reproduction et Comportements, CNRS, UMR7247, F-37380, Nouzilly, France, Université François Rabelais de Tours, F-37000, Tours, France.
Camous, Sylvaine
  • INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
Berthelot, Valérie
  • AgroParis Tech, F-75005, Paris, France.
Toquet, Marie-Pierre
  • Normandie University, UNICAEN, SF4206 ICORE / LABEO Frank Duncombe Laboratory, F-14000, Caen, France.
Richard, Eric
  • Normandie University, UNICAEN, SF4206 ICORE / LABEO Frank Duncombe Laboratory, F-14000, Caen, France.
Sandersen, Charlotte
  • Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
Chaffaux, Stéphane
  • INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
Lejeune, Jean-Philippe
  • Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
Tarrade, Anne
  • INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.
Serteyn, Didier
  • Clinique Equine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
Chavatte-Palmer, Pascale
  • INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350, Jouy en Josas, France.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Hordeum
  • Horses / growth & development
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Leptin / metabolism
  • Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Osteochondrosis / metabolism
  • Osteochondrosis / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Weaning

Conflict of Interest Statement

Co-author Pascale Chavatte-Palmer is a PLOS ONE Editorial Board member. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

References

This article includes 44 references
  1. Barker DJ. The fetal and infant origins of adult disease.. BMJ 1990 Nov 17;301(6761):1111.
    pmc: PMC1664286pubmed: 2252919doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6761.1111google scholar: lookup
  2. Painter RC, Roseboom TJ, Bleker OP. Prenatal exposure to the Dutch famine and disease in later life: an overview.. Reprod Toxicol 2005 Sep-Oct;20(3):345-52.
    doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2005.04.005pubmed: 15893910google scholar: lookup
  3. Gluckman PD, Hanson MA. Maternal constraint of fetal growth and its consequences.. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2004 Oct;9(5):419-25.
    doi: 10.1016/j.siny.2004.03.001pubmed: 15691778google scholar: lookup
  4. Stettler N, Zemel BS, Kumanyika S, Stallings VA. Infant weight gain and childhood overweight status in a multicenter, cohort study.. Pediatrics 2002 Feb;109(2):194-9.
    pubmed: 11826195doi: 10.1542/peds.109.2.194google scholar: lookup
  5. Armitage JA, Khan IY, Taylor PD, Nathanielsz PW, Poston L. Developmental programming of the metabolic syndrome by maternal nutritional imbalance: how strong is the evidence from experimental models in mammals?. J Physiol 2004 Dec 1;561(Pt 2):355-77.
    doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2004.072009pmc: PMC1665360pubmed: 15459241google scholar: lookup
  6. Allen WR, Wilsher S, Stewart F, Stewart F, Ousey J, Ousey J, Fowden A. The influence of maternal size on placental, fetal and postnatal growth in the horse. II. Endocrinology of pregnancy.. J Endocrinol 2002 Feb;172(2):237-46.
    pubmed: 11834441doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1720237google scholar: lookup
  7. Allen WR, Wilsher S, Tiplady C, Butterfield RM. The influence of maternal size on pre- and postnatal growth in the horse: III Postnatal growth.. Reproduction 2004 Jan;127(1):67-77.
    doi: 10.1530/rep.1.00024pubmed: 15056771google scholar: lookup
  8. Peugnet P, Wimel L, Duchamp G, Sandersen C, Camous S, Guillaume D, Dahirel M, Dubois C, Jouneau L, Reigner F, Berthelot V, Chaffaux S, Tarrade A, Serteyn D, Chavatte-Palmer P. Enhanced or reduced fetal growth induced by embryo transfer into smaller or larger breeds alters post-natal growth and metabolism in pre-weaning horses.. PLoS One 2014;9(7):e102044.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102044pmc: PMC4090198pubmed: 25006665google scholar: lookup
  9. Forhead AJ, Ousey JC, Allen WR, Fowden AL. Postnatal insulin secretion and sensitivity after manipulation of fetal growth by embryo transfer in the horse.. J Endocrinol 2004 Jun;181(3):459-67.
    pubmed: 15171694doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1810459google scholar: lookup
  10. Giussani DA, Forhead AJ, Gardner DS, Fletcher AJ, Allen WR, Fowden AL. Postnatal cardiovascular function after manipulation of fetal growth by embryo transfer in the horse.. J Physiol 2003 Feb 15;547(Pt 1):67-76.
    doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2002.027409pmc: PMC2342620pubmed: 12562940google scholar: lookup
  11. Ousey JC, Fowden AL, Wilsher S, Allen WR. The effects of maternal health and body condition on the endocrine responses of neonatal foals.. Equine Vet J 2008 Nov;40(7):673-9.
    pubmed: 19165937doi: 10.2746/042516408x322175google scholar: lookup
  12. George LA, Staniar WB, Treiber KH, Harris PA, Geor RJ. Insulin sensitivity and glucose dynamics during pre-weaning foal development and in response to maternal diet composition.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2009 Jul;37(1):23-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2009.01.003pubmed: 19359126google scholar: lookup
  13. Vander Heyden L, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Detilleux J, Sandersen C, Chavatte P, Paris J, Deliège B, Serteyn D. Association of breeding conditions with prevalence of osteochondrosis in foals.. Vet Rec 2013 Jan 19;172(3):68.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.101034pubmed: 23118049google scholar: lookup
  14. Martin-Rosset W. Nutrition et alimentation des chevaux. France: Quae; 2012. 624 p.
  15. Arnaud G. Notation de l'état corporel des chevaux de selle et de sport. Paris, France: Institut de l'Elevage, INRA, Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Equitation; 2000.
  16. Salazar-Ortiz J, Camous S, Briant C, Lardic L, Chesneau D, Guillaume D. Effects of nutritional cues on the duration of the winter anovulatory phase and on associated hormone levels in adult female Welsh pony horses (Equus caballus).. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2011 Sep 29;9:130.
    doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-9-130pmc: PMC3195710pubmed: 21958120google scholar: lookup
  17. Jaeschke G. [Routine determination of free hydroxyproline in horse serum. Methods and normal values].. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A 1975 Feb;22(2):89-101.
    pubmed: 806194
  18. Valette JP, Robert C, Toquet MP, Denoix JM, Fortier G. Evolution of some biochemical markers of growth in relation to osteoarticular status in young horses: results of a longitudinal study in three breeds. Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology 2007;4(1):23–9.
  19. Denoix JM. Sémiologie radiographique générale des articulations. Pratique Vétérinaire Equine 1990;22:14–27.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2014.11.038pubmed: 0google scholar: lookup
  20. van Weeren PR. Aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of OC(D). Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice 2006;5:248–58.
  21. Noguchi K, Gel Y, Brunner R, Konietschke F. nparLD: an R software package for non-parametric analysis of longitudinal data in factorial experiments. Journal of Statistical Software 2012;50:1–23.
    pubmed: 0
  22. Doreau M. Le lait de jument et sa production: particularités et facteurs de variation. Lait 1994;74:401–18.
  23. Sticker LS, Thompson DL Jr, Bunting LD, Fernandez JM, DePew CL. Dietary protein and(or) energy restriction in mares: plasma glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acid, and urea nitrogen responses to feeding, glucose, and epinephrine.. J Anim Sci 1995 Jan;73(1):136-44.
    pubmed: 7601726doi: 10.2527/1995.731136xgoogle scholar: lookup
  24. Gentry LR, Thompson DL Jr, Gentry GT Jr, Davis KA, Godke RA, Cartmill JA. The relationship between body condition, leptin, and reproductive and hormonal characteristics of mares during the seasonal anovulatory period.. J Anim Sci 2002 Oct;80(10):2695-703.
    pubmed: 12413093doi: 10.2527/2002.80102695xgoogle scholar: lookup
  25. Cavinder CA, Burns SA, Coverdale JA, Hammer CJ, G H, Hinrichs K. Late gestational nutrition of the mare and potential effects on endocrine profiles and adrenal function of the offspring. The professional animal scientist 2012;28:344–50.
  26. Song X, Anderson ST, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Foote CE, Bryden WL. Response of plasma leptin concentrations in mares and foals to maternal body condition. Australasian Equine Science Sympoisum; 2014; Gold Coast, QLD.
  27. Stull CL, Rodiek AV. Responses of blood glucose, insulin and cortisol concentrations to common equine diets.. J Nutr 1988 Feb;118(2):206-13.
    pubmed: 3276847doi: 10.1093/jn/118.2.206google scholar: lookup
  28. DePew CL, Thompson DL Jr, Fernandez JM, Sticker LS, Burleigh DW. Changes in concentrations of hormones, metabolites, and amino acids in plasma of adult horses relative to overnight feed deprivation followed by a pellet-hay meal fed at noon.. J Anim Sci 1994 Jun;72(6):1530-9.
    pubmed: 8071178doi: 10.2527/1994.7261530xgoogle scholar: lookup
  29. Dobbs TN, Foote CE, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Anderson DL, Boston RC, Bryden WL. Glucose and insulin dynamics in mares and their foals. Australasian Equine Science Symposium; 2012; Gold Coast, QLD.
  30. Anderson ST, Song X, Velez Aramburo ME, Bartels RA, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Foote CE. Mares of lower body condition score exhibit marked insulin resistance and reduced insulin secretion in late gestation. Australasian Equine Science Symposium; 2012; Gold Coast, QLD.
  31. Fowden AL, Comline RS, Silver M. Insulin secretion and carbohydrate metabolism during pregnancy in the mare.. Equine Vet J 1984 Jul;16(4):239-46.
    pubmed: 6383807doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb01919.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  32. Kautzky-Willer A, Prager R, Waldhausl W, Pacini G, Thomaseth K, Wagner OF, Ulm M, Streli C, Ludvik B. Pronounced insulin resistance and inadequate beta-cell secretion characterize lean gestational diabetes during and after pregnancy.. Diabetes Care 1997 Nov;20(11):1717-23.
    pubmed: 9353615doi: 10.2337/diacare.20.11.1717google scholar: lookup
  33. Thorson JF, Karren BJ, Bauer ML, Cavinder CA, Coverdale JA, Hammer CJ. Effect of selenium supplementation and plane of nutrition on mares and their foals: foaling data.. J Anim Sci 2010 Mar;88(3):982-90.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2008-1646pubmed: 19897623google scholar: lookup
  34. Wei J, Hanna T, Suda N, Karsenty G, Ducy P. Osteocalcin promotes β-cell proliferation during development and adulthood through Gprc6a.. Diabetes 2014 Mar;63(3):1021-31.
    doi: 10.2337/db13-0887pmc: PMC3931403pubmed: 24009262google scholar: lookup
  35. Lee NK, Karsenty G. Reciprocal regulation of bone and energy metabolism.. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2008 Jul;19(5):161-6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2008.02.006pubmed: 18407515google scholar: lookup
  36. Glade MJ, Belling TH. A dietary etiology for osteochondrotic cartilage. Journal of equine veterinary science 1986;6:151–5.
  37. Savage CJ, McCarthy RN, Jeffcott LB. Effects of dietary energy and protein on induction of dyschondroplasia in foals. Equine veterinary journal supplement 1993;16:74–9.
  38. Glade MJ, Belling TH Jr. Growth plate cartilage metabolism, morphology and biochemical composition in over- and underfed horses.. Growth 1984 Winter;48(4):473-82.
    pubmed: 6532905
  39. Ralston SL. Hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia after feeding a meal of grain to young horses with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions. Pferdeheilkunde 1996;12:320–2.
  40. Pagan JD, Geor RJ, Caddel SE, Pryor PB, Hoekstra KE. The relationship between glycemic response and the incidence of OCD in thoroughbred weanlings:a field study. AAEP; 2001.
  41. Glade MJ, Gupta S, Reimers TJ. Hormonal responses to high and low planes of nutrition in weanling thoroughbreds.. J Anim Sci 1984 Sep;59(3):658-65.
    pubmed: 6386779doi: 10.2527/jas1984.593658xgoogle scholar: lookup
  42. Henson FM, Davenport C, Butler L, Moran I, Shingleton WD, Jeffcott LB, Schofield PN. Effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factors I and II on the growth of equine fetal and neonatal chondrocytes.. Equine Vet J 1997 Nov;29(6):441-7.
    pubmed: 9413716doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb03156.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  43. Glade MJ, Reimers TJ. Effects of dietary energy supply on serum thyroxine, tri-iodothyronine and insulin concentrations in young horses.. J Endocrinol 1985 Jan;104(1):93-8.
    pubmed: 3881553doi: 10.1677/joe.0.1040093google scholar: lookup
  44. Anderson ST, Song X, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Foote CE, Boston RC, Bryden WL. Pregnant mares with insulin resistance and beta cell failure continue to exhibit glucose intolerance and diminished insulin responses in a subsequent pregnancy. Australasian Equine Science Symposium; 2014; Gold Coast, QLD.

Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Hallman I, Karikoski N, Kareskoski M. The effects of obesity and insulin dysregulation on mare reproduction, pregnancy, and foal health: a review. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1180622.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1180622pubmed: 37152686google scholar: lookup
  2. Robles M, Couturier-Tarrade A, Derisoud E, Geeverding A, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Aioun J, Prezelin A, Calvez J, Richard C, Wimel L, Chavatte-Palmer P. Effects of dietary arginine supplementation in pregnant mares on maternal metabolism, placental structure and function and foal growth. Sci Rep 2019 Apr 23;9(1):6461.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-42941-0pubmed: 31015538google scholar: lookup
  3. Robles M, Nouveau E, Gautier C, Mendoza L, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Lagofun B, Aubrière MC, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Guenon I, Viguié C, Wimel L, Bouraima-Lelong H, Serteyn D, Couturier-Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P. Maternal obesity increases insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and osteochondrosis lesions in foals and yearlings until 18 months of age. PLoS One 2018;13(1):e0190309.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190309pubmed: 29373573google scholar: lookup
  4. Robles M, Gautier C, Mendoza L, Peugnet P, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Guenon I, Camous S, Tarrade A, Wimel L, Serteyn D, Bouraima-Lelong H, Chavatte-Palmer P. Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy Affects Testicular and Bone Development, Glucose Metabolism and Response to Overnutrition in Weaned Horses Up to Two Years. PLoS One 2017;12(1):e0169295.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169295pubmed: 28081146google scholar: lookup
  5. Peugnet P, Robles M, Mendoza L, Wimel L, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Guillaume D, Camous S, Berthelot V, Toquet MP, Richard E, Sandersen C, Chaffaux S, Lejeune JP, Tarrade A, Serteyn D, Chavatte-Palmer P. Correction: Effects of Moderate Amounts of Barley in Late Pregnancy on Growth, Glucose Metabolism and Osteoarticular Status of Pre-Weaning Horses. PLoS One 2016;11(12):e0167604.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167604pubmed: 27911931google scholar: lookup
  6. Robles M, Rousseau-Ralliard D, Dubois C, Josse T, Nouveau É, Dahirel M, Wimel L, Couturier-Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P. Obesity during Pregnancy in the Horse: Effect on Term Placental Structure and Gene Expression, as Well as Colostrum and Milk Fatty Acid Concentration. Vet Sci 2023 Dec 4;10(12).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10120691pubmed: 38133242google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,658 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.