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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / Endocrine responses in mares and geldings with high body con...
Journal of animal science2003; 81(9); 2311-2321; doi: 10.2527/2003.8192311x

Endocrine responses in mares and geldings with high body condition scores grouped by high vs. low resting leptin concentrations.

Abstract: Previous observations from this laboratory indicated that horses with high BCS could have resting plasma leptin concentrations ranging from low (1 to 5 ng/mL) to very high (10 to 50 ng/mL). To study the possible interactions of leptin secretion with other endocrine systems, BCS and plasma leptin concentrations were measured on 36 mares and 18 geldings. From mares and geldings that had a mean BCS of at least 7.5, five with the lowest (low leptin) and five with the highest (high leptin) leptin concentrations were selected. Jugular blood samples were collected twice daily for 3 d from the 20 selected horses to determine average resting hormone concentrations. Over the next 12 d, glucose infusion, injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), exercise, and dexamethasone treatment were used to perturb various hormonal systems. By design, horses selected for high leptin had greater (P 0.10) in concentrations of IGF-1, prolactin, or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Horses selected for high leptin had a greater (P = 0.0365) insulin response to i.v. glucose infusion than horses selected for low leptin. Mares had a greater (P = 0.0006) TSH response and tended (P = 0.088) to have a greater prolactin response to TRH than geldings; the T3 response was greater (P = 0.047) in horses selected for high leptin. The leptin (P = 0.0057), insulin (P < 0.0001), and glucose (P = 0.0063) responses to dexamethasone were greater in horses selected for high leptin than in those selected for low leptin. In addition, mares had a greater (P < 0.0001) glucose response to dexamethasone than geldings. Cortisol concentrations were decreased (P = 0.029) by dexamethasone equally in all groups. In conclusion, differences in insulin, T3, and GH associated with high vs. low leptin concentrations indicate a likely interaction of these systems with leptin secretion in horses and serve as a starting point for future study of the cause-and-effect nature of the interactions.
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Publication Date: 2003-09-13 PubMed ID: 12968707DOI: 10.2527/2003.8192311xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigated the endocrine responses in horses with high body condition scores based on their resting leptin levels. It found that high leptin levels are likely associated with increased insulin and T3 hormone levels, and decreased growth hormone levels, suggesting a potential interactive link between these endocrine systems and leptin.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The endocrine responses of 36 mares and 18 geldings were measured, all of which had high Body Condition Scores (BCS) and varied rest plasma leptin concentrations.
  • From these horses, the five with the lowest and highest leptin levels were selected for further testing.
  • The research employed various methods to disturb the hormonal systems of the selected horses, including glucose infusion, exercise, injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), and treatment with dexamethasone.
  • Hormone levels were measured through jugular blood samples taken twice daily for three days from the selected horses to determine average resting hormone concentrations.
  • They also evaluated the horses’ insulin response to injected glucose, and responses to TRH and dexamethasone.

Key Findings

  • It was observed that horses with higher leptin levels also had higher insulin and T3 hormone levels, and lower Growth Hormone (GH) levels.
  • Additionally, mares were found to have higher leptin and cortisol levels than geldings.
  • Interestingly, horses with higher leptin levels also had a greater insulin response to injected glucose and greater responses to dexamethasone.
  • No significant differences in IGF-1, prolactin, or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were observed between the high leptin and low leptin groups.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The results of this study suggest a potential interaction between the hormonal systems of insulin, T3, and growth hormone with leptin secretion in horses.
  • This initial study provides valuable observations and findings that highlight areas for further research, particularly in understanding better the complex nature of the cause-and-effect relationships between these endocrine systems in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Cartmill JA, Thompson DL, Storer WA, Gentry LR, Huff NK. (2003). Endocrine responses in mares and geldings with high body condition scores grouped by high vs. low resting leptin concentrations. J Anim Sci, 81(9), 2311-2321. https://doi.org/10.2527/2003.8192311x

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 0021-8812
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 81
Issue: 9
Pages: 2311-2321

Researcher Affiliations

Cartmill, J A
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803, USA.
Thompson, D L
    Storer, W A
      Gentry, L R
        Huff, N K

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Blood Glucose / analysis
          • Body Composition / physiology
          • Body Constitution / physiology
          • Dexamethasone / pharmacology
          • Endocrine Glands / drug effects
          • Endocrine Glands / metabolism
          • Female
          • Glucose / pharmacology
          • Growth Hormone / blood
          • Growth Hormone / metabolism
          • Horses / blood
          • Horses / physiology
          • Hydrocortisone / blood
          • Hydrocortisone / metabolism
          • Insulin / blood
          • Insulin / metabolism
          • Insulin Secretion
          • Leptin / blood
          • Leptin / metabolism
          • Male
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
          • Prolactin / blood
          • Prolactin / metabolism
          • Sex Factors
          • Thyrotropin / blood
          • Thyrotropin / metabolism
          • Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / pharmacology
          • Thyroxine / blood
          • Thyroxine / metabolism
          • Time Factors
          • Triiodothyronine / blood
          • Triiodothyronine / metabolism

          Citations

          This article has been cited 9 times.
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            pubmed: 19619413
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