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Journal of equine science2023; 34(2); 29-35; doi: 10.1294/jes.34.29

Occurrence of equine metabolic syndrome, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors in Nigeria.

Abstract: Insulin dysregulation (ID) is central to the pathophysiology of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), putting the horse at risk of laminitis. There is a paucity of information on the status of EMS in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of EMS, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out. Selected horses underwent an insulin 2-step response test to ascertain insulin dysregulation; a physical examination was carried out to diagnose laminitis and obesity. Risk factors were assessed using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of EMS was 43.10%. Breed and sex were significantly associated with EMS, but age was not. Horses diagnosed with laminitis showed two signs of laminitis, namely, divergent hoof rings and widened white lines. Risk factors significantly associated with the prevalence of EMS were as follows: being a West African Barb horse (60.00%), being a stallion (67.86%), being a leisure horse (67.86%), only walking horses during exercise (68.00%), exercising horses once every 5 months (82.76%), tethering horses to a stake in the ground (67.86%), obesity (92.86%), and abnormal neck crest (83.33%). The risk of ID remains higher in obese horses. However, some of the horses with ID were not obese, indicating that there are other possible underlying causes of EMS.
©2023 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
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Publication Date: 2023-06-12 PubMed ID: 37405068PubMed Central: PMC10315637DOI: 10.1294/jes.34.29Google 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 study investigates the prevalence, clinical signs, and risk factors of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) among horses in Nigeria, highlighting the crucial role of insulin dysregulation in the condition and risk of laminitis.

Objective of the Study

  • The research aims to explore the occurrence, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) among horses in Nigeria, an area where information on the syndrome is scarce.

Methodology

  • The study uses a cross-sectional design. Selected horses underwent an insulin two-step response test to determine insulin dysregulation, a key factor in EMS onset.
  • Physical examinations were conducted to diagnose laminitis and obesity in the horses – two key clinical manifestations of EMS.
  • Researchers also assessed certain risk factors using a questionnaire.

Findings

  • The prevalence of EMS among the horse population in the study was found to be 43.10%.
  • Breed and sex were significantly associated with EMS, while age was not.
  • The study highlights certain physical characteristics typically found in horses with laminitis, an often-occurring condition in horses with EMS. These characteristics include divergent hoof rings and widened white lines.
  • Main risk factors associated with a higher prevalence of EMS were: being a West African Barb horse, being a stallion, being a leisure horse, walking as the only form of exercise, exercising only once every five months, being tethered to a stake, obesity, and an abnormal neck crest.
  • Obesity was found to be a significant risk factor; however, not all horses with insulin dysregulation were obese, suggesting other potential causal factors for EMS.

Conclusion

  • The high prevalence of EMS among horses in Nigeria found in this study underscores the necessity of further research into this syndrome, particularly focusing on the role of insulin dysregulation and associated risk factors.

Cite This Article

APA
Akinniyi OO, Sackey AKB, Ochube GE, Mshelia PW, Musa FA, Elijah MO, Jolayemi KO. (2023). Occurrence of equine metabolic syndrome, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors in Nigeria. J Equine Sci, 34(2), 29-35. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.34.29

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 2
Pages: 29-35

Researcher Affiliations

Akinniyi, Olumide Odunayo
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, PO Box 720, Nigeria.
Sackey, Anthony Kojo Beku
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, PO Box 720, Nigeria.
Ochube, Gabriel Enenche
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, PO Box 720, Nigeria.
Mshelia, Philip Wayuta
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, PO Box 720, Nigeria.
Musa, Francis Alkali
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, PO Box 720, Nigeria.
Elijah, Mary Oluwatomisin
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, PO Box 540, Nigeria.
Jolayemi, Kelvin Olutimilehin
  • Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, PO Box 540, Nigeria.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Akinniyi OO, Lawal TR, Rufai N, Jolayemi KO, Amaje J. Horse handlers' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of African horse sickness in South-West, Nigeria. Sci Rep 2025 Jul 1;15(1):21880.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-07991-7pubmed: 40596541google scholar: lookup
  2. Akinniyi OO, Mshelia PW, Edeh RE. Can Nigerian horse owners effectively estimate body condition and cresty neck scores?. J Equine Sci 2024 Mar;35(1):9-14.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.35.9pubmed: 38524755google scholar: lookup
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