Endocrine, morphometric, and ultrasonographic characterization of neck adiposity in Andalusian horses.
Abstract: Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) can be diagnosed by hormonal measurements; however, it would be important to find simpler measurements that allow easy identification of affected or at risk individuals. In horses, the dorsal neck region is one of the most frequent anatomical sites for fat deposition and neck obesity has been linked to EMS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of hormonal markers of obesity (leptin) and insulin resistance (insulin) with morphometric and ultrasonographic neck measurements in Andalusian horses. Plasma leptin and insulin concentrations were measured by RIA in 127 Andalusian horses. Neck circumferences (NC) were measured at 3 equidistant locations at 25%, 50%, and 75% of neck length (NC-25%, NC-50%, and NC-75%). At the same 3 locations, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT-25%, SFT-50%, and SFT-75%) was measured ultrasonographically. In the population under study, a tendency to adiposity was confirmed by the elevated plasma leptin levels (7.47 ± 5.03 ng/mL). However, plasma insulin concentrations (4.05 ± 3.74 μIU/mL) were within normal range in most horses. Our results indicate that NC showed significant sexual dimorphism and did not correlate well with hormonal measurements. Ultrasonographic assessment of fat thickness at the base of the neck (SFT-75%) was significantly correlated with both plasma leptin and insulin and did not show differences between males and females. Thus, in the search for a single objective parameter which can be used in large populations, SFT-75% is a potential candidate and may be a meaningful parameter to predict EMS.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2016-02-26 PubMed ID: 27088603DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.02.003Google 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.
- Journal Article
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.
The research article focuses on finding easier ways to identify horses that are affected by or are at risk for equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), a common condition characterized by obesity and insulin resistance. The study examines the relationship between hormonal markers of obesity (leptin) and insulin resistance (insulin), with morphometric (measurable physical quantities) and ultrasonographic measurements of neck fat in Andalusian horses. The results suggest that subcutaneous fat thickness at the base of the neck can potentially predict EMS.
Study Objective and Methods
- The objective of the research was to find easier ways to predict EMS in horses by investigating the relationship between hormonal markers, leptin and insulin, and physical measurements of neck adiposity (fat).
- The plasma leptin and insulin concentrations were measured in 127 Andalusian horses using a Radioimmunoassay (RIA).
- The researchers measured the neck circumferences of the horses at 25%, 50%, and 75% of their neck length, and at the same points, used ultrasound to measure the thickness of subcutaneous fat (the fat beneath the skin).
Results and Findings
- The study confirmed a tendency towards adiposity (obesity) in the studied horse population, indicated by elevated plasma leptin levels, but the plasma insulin concentrations were generally within normal range.
- The researchers found that neck circumference showed significant sexual dimorphism (differences between males and females) but did not correlate well with the hormonal measurements.
- In contrast, the ultrasonographic assessment of fat thickness at the base of the neck was significantly correlated with both plasma leptin and insulin levels, and did not show differences between males and females.
Conclusion and Implications
- The results suggest that the measurement of subcutaneous fat thickness at the base of the neck (SFT-75%) could potentially serve as a predictor for EMS.
- This finding may provide a simple and feasible way to assess the risk for EMS in large populations of horses by measuring a single parameter rather than undertaking extensive hormonal testing.
Cite This Article
APA
Martin-Gimenez T, de Blas I, Aguilera-Tejero E, Diez de Castro E, Aguirre-Pascasio CN.
(2016).
Endocrine, morphometric, and ultrasonographic characterization of neck adiposity in Andalusian horses.
Domest Anim Endocrinol, 56, 57-62.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.02.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: tamara.martin.gimenez@gmail.com.
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Adiposity
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Insulin / blood
- Leptin / blood
- Male
- Metabolic Syndrome / diagnosis
- Metabolic Syndrome / veterinary
- Neck / diagnostic imaging
- Obesity / diagnosis
- Obesity / veterinary
- Spain
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Gmel AI, Brem G, Neuditschko M. New genomic insights into the conformation of Lipizzan horses.. Sci Rep 2023 Jun 2;13(1):8990.
- Pratt-Phillips S, Munjizun A. Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
- Daradics Z, Niculae M, Crecan CM, Lupșan AF, Rus MA, Andrei S, Ciobanu DM, Cătoi FA, Pop ID, Mircean MV, Cătoi C. Clustering and Correlations amongst NEFA, Selected Adipokines and Morphological Traits-New Insights into Equine Metabolic Syndrome.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 20;12(20).
- Fitzgerald DM, Anderson ST, Sillence MN, de Laat MA. The cresty neck score is an independent predictor of insulin dysregulation in ponies.. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0220203.
- Reynolds A, Keen JA, Fordham T, Morgan RA. Adipose tissue dysfunction in obese horses with equine metabolic syndrome.. Equine Vet J 2019 Nov;51(6):760-766.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
