High glycemic and insulinemic responses to meals affect plasma growth hormone secretory characteristics in Quarter Horse weanlings.
Abstract: Growth hormone is a key component of the somatotropic axis and is critical for the interplay between nutrition, regulation of metabolic functions, and subsequent processes of growth. The objective of this study was to investigate potential relations between meal feeding concentrates differing in the glycemic responses they elicit and GH secretory patterns in young growing horses. Twelve Quarter Horse weanlings (5.4 ± 0.4 mo of age) were used in a crossover design, consisting of two 21-d periods and two treatments, a high-glycemic (HG) or low-glycemic (LG) concentrate meal, fed twice daily. Horses were individually housed and fed hay ad libitum. On the final day of each period, quarter-hourly blood samples were drawn for 24 h to measure plasma glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids, and GH. Growth hormone secretory characteristics were estimated with deconvolution analysis. After a meal, HG-fed horses exhibited a longer inhibition until the first pulse of GH secretion (P = 0.012). During late night hours (1:00 AM to 6:45 AM), HG horses secreted a greater amount of pulsatile GH than LG horses (P = 0.002). These differences highlight the potential relations between glycemic and insulinemic responses to meals and GH secretion. Dietary energy source and metabolic perturbations associated with feeding HG meals to young, growing horses have the potential to alter GH secretory patterns compared with LG meals. This may potentially affect the developmental pattern of various tissues in the young growing horse.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-02-10 PubMed ID: 23433709DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.01.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the relationship between different types of meals and how they affect the secretion of growth hormone in young horses. The research found that high-glycemic meals delay the first pulse of growth hormone secretion and increase its secretion during late night hours compared to low-glycemic meals.
Objective of Study
The aim of the study was to analyze how meals varying in glycemic responses, designated as high-glycemic (HG) and low-glycemic (LG) affect the secretion patterns of growth hormone (GH) in growing young horses. The researchers were motivated by the key role played by GH in the process of growth, and the importance of metabolic functions and nutrition regulation.
Study Methodology
- The study was conducted on twelve Quarter Horse weanlings (aged approximately 5.4 months) following a crossover design.
- It contained two 21-day periods and two treatments where horses were fed either a HG or LG concentrate meal, twice daily. In addition, the horses were allowed unlimited access to hay.
- Throughout the final day of each period, blood samples were taken at fifteen-minute intervals over 24 hours. These samples were used to measure levels of plasma glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids, and GH.
- To estimate the GH secretion patterns, deconvolution analysis was used.
Outcome of the Study
- Through the analysis, it was observed that after a meal, horses fed with HG exhibited a longer delay until the first pulse of GH secretion compared to those fed with LG.
- Also, during late night hours (between 1:00 AM to 6:45 AM), HG horses secreted more pulsatile GH than LG horses.
- The results show potential associations between glycemic and insulinemic responses to meals and GH secretion patterns.
Significance of Results
The study helps understand how the source of dietary energy and metabolic disturbances caused by feeding HG meals can alter GH secretion patterns in growing horses compared to LG meals. This has potential implications on the growth and development of different tissues in young horses and could be critical in designing the optimal diet to ensure proper physical development.
Cite This Article
APA
Gray SM, Bartell PA, Staniar WB.
(2013).
High glycemic and insulinemic responses to meals affect plasma growth hormone secretory characteristics in Quarter Horse weanlings.
Domest Anim Endocrinol, 44(4), 165-175.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.01.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Blood Glucose / analysis
- Body Composition
- Cross-Over Studies
- Diet / veterinary
- Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
- Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
- Female
- Glycemic Index
- Growth Hormone / blood
- Growth Hormone / metabolism
- Horses / blood
- Insulin / blood
- Male
- Postprandial Period / physiology
- Weaning
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Souza LA, Hunka MM, Rezende Júnior SF, Silva CJFLD, Manso HECDCC, Simões J, Coelho CS, Fazio F, Aragona F, Manso Filho HC. Potential use of beet-pulp concentrate supplementation in athletic horse. Heliyon 2025 Jan 15;11(1):e40961.
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