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PloS one2017; 12(3); e0173753; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173753

EQUIFAT: A novel scoring system for the semi-quantitative evaluation of regional adipose tissues in Equidae.

Abstract: Anatomically distinct adipose tissues represent variable risks to metabolic health in man and some other mammals. Quantitative-imaging of internal adipose depots is problematic in large animals and associations between regional adiposity and health are poorly understood. This study aimed to develop and test a semi-quantitative system (EQUIFAT) which could be applied to regional adipose tissues. Anatomically-defined, photographic images of adipose depots (omental, mesenteric, epicardial, rump) were collected from 38 animals immediately post-mortem. Images were ranked and depot-specific descriptors were developed (1 = no fat visible; 5 = excessive fat present). Nuchal-crest and ventro-abdominal-retroperitoneal adipose depot depths (cm) were transformed to categorical 5 point scores. The repeatability and reliability of EQUIFAT was independently tested by 24 observers. When half scores were permitted, inter-observer agreement was substantial (average κw: mesenteric, 0.79; omental, 0.79; rump 0.61) or moderate (average κw; epicardial, 0.60). Intra-observer repeatability was tested by 8 observers on 2 occasions. Kappa analysis indicated perfect (omental and mesenteric) and substantial agreement (epicardial and rump) between attempts. A further 207 animals were evaluated ante-mortem (age, height, breed-type, gender, body condition score [BCS]) and again immediately post-mortem (EQUIFAT scores, carcass weight). Multivariable, random effect linear regression models were fitted (breed as random effect; BCS as outcome variable). Only height, carcass weight, omental and retroperitoneal EQUIFAT scores remained as explanatory variables in the final model. The EQUIFAT scores developed here demonstrate clear functional differences between regional adipose depots and future studies could be directed towards describing associations between adiposity and disease risk in surgical and post-mortem situations.
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Publication Date: 2017-03-15 PubMed ID: 28296956PubMed Central: PMC5351866DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173753Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 is about the creation and testing of a new scoring system, called EQUIFAT, for evaluating different regions of body fat in horses and other equine animals.

Objective of the Research

  • The main aim of this study was to create and evaluate a scoring system (EQUIFAT) that could be used to semiquantitatively assess different regions of body fat in members of the horse family, known scientifically as Equidae. This tool would be particularly useful because getting accurate measurements of internal fat stores can be difficult in large animals, and the impact of fat stored in different areas on an animal’s overall health is not well understood.

Methodology

  • The research team gathered photographic images of distinct fat storage sites (omental, mesenteric, epicardial, and rump) from 38 animals immediately after death. Each image was ranked from 1 to 5, based on how much fat could be seen.
  • The researchers also transformed depths of nuchal-crest and ventro-abdominal-retroperitoneal fat deposits into categorical 5-point scores.
  • 24 independent observers then tested the repeatability and reliability of the EQUIFAT scoring system. The inter-observer agreement was substantial on average (mesenteric, 0.79; omental, 0.79; rump 0.61) with half scores allowed, and moderate on average (epicardial, 0.60).
  • The repeatability of intra-observer was tested by 8 observers on two occasions, with Kappa analysis showing perfect (omental and mesenteric) and substantial agreement (epicardial and rump) between attempts.

Findings and Conclusion

  • A further 207 animals were scored using EQUIFAT both before and right after death. Predictor variables (like age, height, breed, gender, body condition score [BCS]) and the EQUIFAT scores, carcass weight were included in regression model with breed as random effect and BCS as an outcome variable.
  • The final model only included height, carcass weight, omental and retroperitoneal EQUIFAT scores.
  • The researchers concluded that EQUIFAT scores reflect different functional aspects of regional adipose depots. Future studies may aim to understand how associations of adiposity and disease risk relate to surgical and post-mortem situations with the help of EQUIFAT scores.

Cite This Article

APA
Morrison PK, Harris PA, Maltin CA, Grove-White D, Argo CM. (2017). EQUIFAT: A novel scoring system for the semi-quantitative evaluation of regional adipose tissues in Equidae. PLoS One, 12(3), e0173753. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173753

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 3
Pages: e0173753
PII: e0173753

Researcher Affiliations

Morrison, Philippa K
  • University of Surrey, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Guilford, United Kingdom.
Harris, Patricia A
  • Equine Studies Group, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Freeby Lane, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
Maltin, Charlotte A
  • University of Liverpool, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom.
  • Biomics Ltd, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom.
Grove-White, Dai
  • University of Liverpool, Department of Obesity and Endocrinology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom.
Argo, Caroline McG
  • University of Surrey, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Guilford, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Adipose Tissue / anatomy & histology
  • Animals
  • Equidae / anatomy & histology
  • Reproducibility of Results

Conflict of Interest Statement

Patricia A. Harris is employed by one of the funders of this research (WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, United Kingdom). The authors can confirm that they have adhered to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. The authors also confirm that none of the authors record a conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Pratt-Phillips S, Munjizun A. Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
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  4. Pratt-Phillips S. Effect of Exercise Conditioning on Countering the Effects of Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Horses-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 26;14(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14050727pubmed: 38473112google scholar: lookup
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