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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2006; 228(10); 1538-1545; doi: 10.2460/javma.228.10.1538

Evaluation of genetic and metabolic predispositions and nutritional risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis in ponies.

Abstract: To evaluate genetic and metabolic predispositions and nutritional risk factors for development of pasture-associated laminitis in ponies. Methods: Observational cohort study. Methods: 160 ponies. Methods: A previous diagnosis of laminitis was used to differentiate 54 ponies (PL group) from 106 nonlaminitic ponies (NL group). Pedigree analysis was used to determine a mode of inheritance for ponies with a previous diagnosis of laminitis. In early March, ponies were weighed and scored for body condition and basal venous blood samples were obtained. Plasma was analyzed for glucose, insulin, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and cortisol concentrations. Basal proxies for insulin sensitivity (reciprocal of the square root of insulin [RISQI]) and insulin secretory response (modified insulin-to-glucose ratio [MIRG]) were calculated. Observations were repeated in May, when some ponies had signs of clinical laminitis. Results: A previous diagnosis of laminitis was consistent with the expected inheritance of a dominant major gene or genes with reduced penetrance. A prelaminitic metabolic profile was defined on the basis of body condition, plasma triglyceride concentration, RISQI, and MIRG. Meeting > or = 3 of these criteria differentiated PL- from NL-group ponies with a total predictive power of 78%. Determination of prelaminitic metabolic syndrome in March predicted 11 of 13 cases of clinical laminitis observed in May when pasture starch concentration was high. Conclusions: Prelaminitic metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy ponies is comparable to metabolic syndromes in humans and is the first such set of risk factors to be supported by data in equids. Prelaminitic metabolic syndrome identifies ponies requiring special management, such as avoiding high starch intake that exacerbates insulin resistance.
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Publication Date: 2006-05-09 PubMed ID: 16677122DOI: 10.2460/javma.228.10.1538Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research evaluates genetic and metabolic predispositions along with nutritional risk factors in the development of pasture-associated laminitis in ponies. The study found a link between a pre-laminitis metabolic syndrome, similar to metabolic syndromes in humans, and the risk of laminitis in ponies, stressing the importance of proper diet management.

Methods

  • The study involved 160 ponies, separated into two groups. 54 ponies with a history of laminitis (PL group) and the remaining 106 ponies without the condition (NL group).
  • A pedigree analysis was conducted to establish an inheritance model for ponies previously diagnosed with laminitis.
  • In early March, all the ponies were weighed and their body conditions scored. Basal venous blood samples were then taken from each pony.
  • The blood samples’ plasma was tested for levels of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids, and cortisol. From these results, RISQI, a proxy for insulin sensitivity, and MIRG, a measure of insulin secretory response, were estimated.
  • These observations were repeated in May, at which time some ponies had developed visible signs of clinical laminitis.

Results

  • Results showed that laminitis diagnosis was consistent with the expected inheritance of a primary dominant gene (or genes) showing reduced penetrance.
  • A pre-laminitis metabolic profile was identified, based on body condition, plasma triglyceride concentration, RISQI, and MIRG.
  • Ponies that met three or more of these criteria could be differentiated from non-laminitic ponies, with the differentiation having a total predictive power of 78%.
  • Ponies identified with this pre-laminitis metabolic syndrome in March predicted 11 of the 13 cases of clinical laminitis observed in May when the field starch concentration was high.

Conclusions

  • It was concluded that the pre-laminitis metabolic syndrome in seemingly healthy ponies mirrors human metabolic syndromes, becoming the first set of equine risk factors corroborated by data.
  • The identification of pre-laminitis metabolic syndrome allows for better management for ponies at risk, especially concerning minimizing high starch intake which worsens insulin resistance.

Cite This Article

APA
Treiber KH, Kronfeld DS, Hess TM, Byrd BM, Splan RK, Staniar WB. (2006). Evaluation of genetic and metabolic predispositions and nutritional risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis in ponies. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 228(10), 1538-1545. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.228.10.1538

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 228
Issue: 10
Pages: 1538-1545

Researcher Affiliations

Treiber, Kibby H
  • Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306, USA.
Kronfeld, David S
    Hess, Tanja M
      Byrd, Bridgett M
        Splan, Rebecca K
          Staniar, W Burton

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Feed / adverse effects
            • Animal Husbandry / methods
            • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
            • Animals
            • Blood Glucose / analysis
            • Blood Glucose / metabolism
            • Cohort Studies
            • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
            • Dietary Carbohydrates / adverse effects
            • Female
            • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
            • Horse Diseases / etiology
            • Horse Diseases / genetics
            • Horses
            • Inflammation / etiology
            • Inflammation / genetics
            • Inflammation / veterinary
            • Insulin / metabolism
            • Insulin Resistance
            • Male
            • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology
            • Metabolic Syndrome / genetics
            • Metabolic Syndrome / veterinary
            • Poaceae
            • Risk Factors

            Citations

            This article has been cited 53 times.
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