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American journal of veterinary research2008; 69(1); 122-129; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.69.1.122

Hypertension and insulin resistance in a mixed-breed population of ponies predisposed to laminitis.

Abstract: To determine the metabolic phenotype of a group of laminitis-prone ponies when at pasture in summer, compared with when at pasture in winter. Methods: 40 ponies of various breeds predisposed to recurrent pasture-associated laminitis and 40 unaffected control ponies. Methods: Body condition score and size of the crest of the neck were assessed, blood samples obtained, and blood pressure measured by use of an indirect oscillometric technique, while ponies were kept on winter pasture (last week of November or beginning of December) and again on summer pasture (June). Serum insulin concentration and plasma glucose, triglyceride, uric acid, and ACTH concentrations were measured. Insulin sensitivity was calculated with proxies derived from basal serum insulin and plasma glucose concentrations. Results: No significant differences were apparent between ponies predisposed to laminitis and control ponies during winter. However, in June, laminitis-prone ponies had increased serum insulin concentration and plasma triglyceride and uric acid concentrations, compared with control ponies. Also, laminitis-prone ponies were relatively insulin resistant, compared with control ponies. Mean blood pressure was significantly higher during summer in laminitis-prone ponies (median [interquartile range], 89.6 mm Hg [78.3 to 96.9 mm Hg]), compared with control ponies (76.8 mm Hg [69.4 to 85.2 mm Hg]). Conclusions: Summer pastures appear to induce metabolic responses in some ponies, leading to expression of the prelaminitic phenotype, which includes hypertension as well as insulin resistance. Signs of this metabolic syndrome may not be apparent in affected ponies during periods of grazing winter pasture. Understanding this syndrome may enable improved countermeasures to be devised to prevent laminitis.
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Publication Date: 2008-01-03 PubMed ID: 18167097DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.69.1.122Google 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.

This research explores the metabolic changes in ponies, more specifically in ones predisposed to laminitis, during summer and winter seasons. They find that these ponies show signs of hypertension and insulin resistance during summer, which can contribute to laminitis onset. This seasonal metabolic syndrome seems to be absent during winter.

Methodology

  • The experiment was carried out on a total of 80 ponies which were divided into two groups of 40 each. One group was of ponies predisposed to recurrent pasture-associated laminitis and the unaffected ones were used as a control.
  • The body conditions and size of the neck crest of these ponies were examined. Blood samples were collected and their blood pressure was measured while they were kept on winter pasture (end of November and start of December) and again on summer pasture (June).
  • Variables like serum insulin concentration and concentrations of plasma glucose, triglyceride, uric acid, and ACTH were measured. Furthermore, insulin sensitivity was evaluated using proxies that are derived from base levels of serum insulin and plasma glucose.

Results

  • No significant differences were observed between the two groups during winter.
  • In summer, laminitis-prone ponies showed elevated serum insulin concentration and plasma triglyceride and uric acid concentrations in comparison to the control group. Furthermore, they were relatively more insulin resistant than the control ponies.
  • The median blood pressure was significantly higher during summer in laminitis-prone ponies (89.6 mm Hg) compared to control ponies (76.8 mm Hg).

Conclusions

  • Summer pastures seem to induce metabolic responses in ponies that result in development of prelaminitic phenotype including hypertension and insulin resistance. This metabolic syndrome is not apparent in the ponies while they graze in winter pastures.
  • A better understanding of this seasonal metabolic syndrome may pave the way for new preventive methods against laminitis in ponies.

Cite This Article

APA
Bailey SR, Habershon-Butcher JL, Ransom KJ, Elliott J, Menzies-Gow NJ. (2008). Hypertension and insulin resistance in a mixed-breed population of ponies predisposed to laminitis. Am J Vet Res, 69(1), 122-129. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.69.1.122

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 69
Issue: 1
Pages: 122-129

Researcher Affiliations

Bailey, Simon R
  • Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, England.
Habershon-Butcher, Jocelyn L
    Ransom, Kathryn J
      Elliott, Jonathan
        Menzies-Gow, Nicola J

          MeSH Terms

          • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
          • Animal Husbandry
          • Animals
          • Body Composition
          • Female
          • Foot Diseases / complications
          • Foot Diseases / metabolism
          • Foot Diseases / veterinary
          • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
          • Horse Diseases / blood
          • Horse Diseases / metabolism
          • Horses
          • Hypertension / complications
          • Hypertension / veterinary
          • Insulin Resistance / physiology
          • Male
          • Seasons

          Citations

          This article has been cited 37 times.
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