FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2019; 33(3); 1456-1463; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15419

Phenotypic, hormonal, and clinical characteristics of equine endocrinopathic laminitis.

Abstract: Equine endocrinopathic laminitis is common and can be associated with an underlying endocrinopathy, such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), pasture consumption, or any combination of these factors. Objective: The aim of the study was to improve the risk assessment capabilities of clinicians, and to inform management strategies, for acute endocrinopathic laminitis by prospectively examining the phenotypic, hormonal, and clinical characteristics of the disease in a large cohort. Methods: Privately owned horses and ponies (n = 301) of any age, sex, or breed diagnosed with laminitis by a veterinarian. A history of laminitis was acceptable. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. Veterinarians provided information on each case via an online questionnaire after informed consent from the animal's owner, and all data were de-identified before analysis. Serum insulin and plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations were measured in each case. Results: Most cases were recruited in spring (109/301; 36.2%). Concurrent EMS and PPID resulted in higher basal insulin concentrations (49 [21.5-141]; P < .02) than if an animal had a single underlying cause for their laminitis. The insulin concentration was negatively correlated (r  = -0.38; P < .001) with the animal's height, being higher in ponies (33[10-14]; P < .001) than horses (9.5 [3-25.7]) and was positively correlated (r  = 0.12; P = .05) with their grade (severity) of laminitis. Conclusions: Horses and ponies with concurrent endocrinopathies have more marked hyperinsulinemia. Higher basal insulin concentrations were associated with more severe lameness.
© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2019-01-29 PubMed ID: 30697823PubMed Central: PMC6524085DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15419Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

This research focuses on investigating the phenotypic, hormonal, and clinical characteristics of horses and ponies diagnosed with equine endocrinopathic laminitis. The study aims to enhance risk assessment for this condition and inform effective management strategies by analyzing data collected from a large sample of affected animals.

Study Methodology

  • The study involved a prospective cohort of 301 privately owned horses and ponies of all ages, sexes, and breeds diagnosed with laminitis by a veterinarian, including those with a history of the condition.
  • Data was collected via an online questionnaire filled out by veterinarians after obtaining owner consent. All information was de-identified before analysis to protect the privacy of the participants.
  • The research focused on measuring serum insulin and plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations in each case to understand the hormonal aspects of the illness.

Research Findings

  • The recruitment of cases was mainly during the spring season, which accounted for about 36.2% of all cases.
  • The results indicated that horses and ponies with concurrent Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) had higher basal insulin concentrations (indicated by the higher median and interquartile range values) than those with any one of these endocrinopathies. This outcome suggests that dealing with multiple endocrine irregularities can exacerbate the disease, leading to more pronounced hyperinsulinemia (high levels of insulin in the blood).
  • There was a negative correlation between insulin concentration and the animal’s height, meaning taller animals had lower insulin levels. Consequently, ponies, typically shorter, had higher insulin concentrations than horses.
  • A positive correlation was found between the insulin concentration and the severity of laminitis, suggesting that higher insulin levels may be associated with more severe forms of the condition.

Conclusions Drawn

  • The data suggest that concurrent endocrine disorders bring about more pronounced hyperinsulinemia in equines affected with laminitis. This finding prompts the need for careful management of insulin levels in horses and ponies diagnosed with endocrine irregularities.
  • It also suggests that basal insulin concentrations are an important aspect to consider when assessing laminitis severity.

Cite This Article

APA
de Laat MA, Sillence MN, Reiche DB. (2019). Phenotypic, hormonal, and clinical characteristics of equine endocrinopathic laminitis. J Vet Intern Med, 33(3), 1456-1463. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15419

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 3
Pages: 1456-1463

Researcher Affiliations

de Laat, Melody A
  • School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Sillence, Martin N
  • School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Reiche, Dania B
  • Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Cohort Studies
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Endocrine System Diseases / complications
  • Endocrine System Diseases / veterinary
  • Female
  • Foot Diseases / etiology
  • Foot Diseases / veterinary
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Horse Diseases / metabolism
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Insulin / blood
  • Male
  • Metabolic Diseases / veterinary
  • Prospective Studies

Grant Funding

  • Boehringer Ingelheim

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 49 references
  1. Pollitt CC. Equine laminitis. Clin Tech Equine Pract 2004;3:34‐44.
  2. Karikoski NP, Horn I, McGowan TW, McGowan CM. The prevalence of endocrinopathic laminitis among horses presented for laminitis at a first-opinion/referral equine hospital.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2011 Oct;41(3):111-7.
    pubmed: 21696910doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2011.05.004google scholar: lookup
  3. Donaldson MT, Jorgensen AJ, Beech J. Evaluation of suspected pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in horses with laminitis.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2004 Apr 1;224(7):1123-7.
    pubmed: 15074858doi: 10.2460/javma.2004.224.1123google scholar: lookup
  4. Patterson-Kane JC, Karikoski NP, McGowan CM. Paradigm shifts in understanding equine laminitis.. Vet J 2018 Jan;231:33-40.
    pubmed: 29429485doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.11.011google scholar: lookup
  5. Potter SJ, Bamford NJ, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Incidence of laminitis and survey of dietary and management practices in pleasure horses and ponies in south-eastern Australia.. Aust Vet J 2017 Oct;95(10):370-374.
    pubmed: 28948628doi: 10.1111/avj.12635google scholar: lookup
  6. Menzies-Gow NJ, Harris PA, Elliott J. Prospective cohort study evaluating risk factors for the development of pasture-associated laminitis in the United Kingdom.. Equine Vet J 2017 May;49(3):300-306.
    pubmed: 27363591doi: 10.1111/evj.12606google scholar: lookup
  7. Wylie CE, Shaw DJ, Verheyen KL, Newton JR. Decision-tree analysis of clinical data to aid diagnostic reasoning for equine laminitis: a cross-sectional study.. Vet Rec 2016 Apr 23;178(17):420.
    pubmed: 26969668doi: 10.1136/vr.103588google scholar: lookup
  8. Tadros EM, Fowlie JG, Refsal KR, Marteniuk J, Schott HC 2nd. Association between hyperinsulinaemia and laminitis severity at the time of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction diagnosis.. Equine Vet J 2019 Jan;51(1):52-56.
    pubmed: 29761574doi: 10.1111/evj.12963google scholar: lookup
  9. Meier AD, de Laat MA, Reiche DB, Pollitt CC, Walsh DM, McGree JM, Sillence MN. The oral glucose test predicts laminitis risk in ponies fed a diet high in nonstructural carbohydrates.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018 Apr;63:1-9.
    pubmed: 29172109doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2017.10.008google scholar: lookup
  10. Frank N, Geor RJ, Bailey SR, Durham AE, Johnson PJ. Equine metabolic syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2010 May-Jun;24(3):467-75.
    pubmed: 20384947doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0503.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  11. Ireland JL, McGowan CM. Epidemiology of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: A systematic literature review of clinical presentation, disease prevalence and risk factors.. Vet J 2018 May;235:22-33.
    pubmed: 29704935doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.03.002google scholar: lookup
  12. Coleman MC, Belknap JK, Eades SC, Galantino-Homer HL, Hunt RJ, Geor RJ, McCue ME, McIlwraith CW, Moore RM, Peroni JF, Townsend HG, White NA, Cummings KJ, Ivanek-Miojevic R, Cohen ND. Case-control study of risk factors for pasture-and endocrinopathy-associated laminitis in North American horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2018 Aug 15;253(4):470-478.
    pubmed: 30058970doi: 10.2460/javma.253.4.470google scholar: lookup
  13. Menzies-Gow NJ, Katz LM, Barker KJ, Elliott J, De Brauwere MN, Jarvis N, Marr CM, Pfeiffer DU. Epidemiological study of pasture-associated laminitis and concurrent risk factors in the South of England.. Vet Rec 2010 Oct 30;167(18):690-4.
    pubmed: 21257484doi: 10.1136/vr.c5177google scholar: lookup
  14. Carter RA, Treiber KH, Geor RJ, Douglass L, Harris PA. Prediction of incipient pasture-associated laminitis from hyperinsulinaemia, hyperleptinaemia and generalised and localised obesity in a cohort of ponies.. Equine Vet J 2009 Feb;41(2):171-8.
    pubmed: 19418747doi: 10.2746/042516408x342975google scholar: lookup
  15. Frank N. Insulin resistance in horses. AAEP Proceedings 2006;52:51‐54.
  16. de Laat MA, McGree JM, Sillence MN. Equine hyperinsulinemia: investigation of the enteroinsular axis during insulin dysregulation.. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2016 Jan 1;310(1):E61-72.
    pubmed: 26530154doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00362.2015google scholar: lookup
  17. Lindåse S, Nostell K, Söder J, Bröjer J. Relationship Between β-cell Response and Insulin Sensitivity in Horses based on the Oral Sugar Test and the Euglycemic Hyperinsulinemic Clamp.. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Sep;31(5):1541-1550.
    pmc: PMC5598889pubmed: 28796307doi: 10.1111/jvim.14799google scholar: lookup
  18. Obel N. Studies on the Histopathology of Acute Laminitis. .
  19. Copas VE, Durham AE. Circannual variation in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in the UK in normal horses and ponies, and those with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.. Equine Vet J 2012 Jul;44(4):440-3.
    pubmed: 21848531doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00444.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  20. Tinworth KD, Wynn PC, Harris PA. Optimising the Siemens Coat‐A‐Count Radioimunnoassay to measure insulin in equine plasma. Proceedings of the Equine Science Society Congress 2009; Colorado.
  21. Mc Gowan TW, Pinchbeck GP, Mc Gowan CM. Evaluation of basal plasma α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations for the diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction from a population of aged horses.. Equine Vet J 2013 Jan;45(1):66-73.
    pubmed: 22563728doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00575.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  22. Knowles EJ, Harris PA, Elliott J, Menzies-Gow NJ. Use of the oral sugar test in ponies when performed with or without prior fasting.. Equine Vet J 2017 Jul;49(4):519-524.
    pubmed: 27381044doi: 10.1111/evj.12607google scholar: lookup
  23. Borer KE, Bailey SR, Menzies-Gow NJ, Harris PA, Elliott J. Effect of feeding glucose, fructose, and inulin on blood glucose and insulin concentrations in normal ponies and those predisposed to laminitis.. J Anim Sci 2012 Sep;90(9):3003-11.
    pubmed: 22966077doi: 10.2527/jas.2011-4236google scholar: lookup
  24. Henneke DR, Potter GD, Kreider JL, Yeates BF. Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares.. Equine Vet J 1983 Oct;15(4):371-2.
    pubmed: 6641685doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1983.tb01826.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  25. Carter RA, Geor RJ, Burton Staniar W, Cubitt TA, Harris PA. Apparent adiposity assessed by standardised scoring systems and morphometric measurements in horses and ponies.. Vet J 2009 Feb;179(2):204-10.
    pubmed: 18440844doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.02.029google scholar: lookup
  26. Wylie CE, Collins SN, Verheyen KL, Newton JR. A cohort study of equine laminitis in Great Britain 2009-2011: estimation of disease frequency and description of clinical signs in 577 cases.. Equine Vet J 2013 Nov;45(6):681-7.
    pubmed: 23489181doi: 10.1111/evj.12047google scholar: lookup
  27. McGowan CM. Endocrinopathic laminitis.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Aug;26(2):233-7.
    pubmed: 20699171doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.04.009google scholar: lookup
  28. Karikoski NP, Patterson-Kane JC, Singer ER, McFarlane D, McGowan CM. Lamellar pathology in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.. Equine Vet J 2016 Jul;48(4):472-8.
    pubmed: 25869529doi: 10.1111/evj.12450google scholar: lookup
  29. Bertin FR, de Laat MA. The diagnosis of equine insulin dysregulation.. Equine Vet J 2017 Sep;49(5):570-576.
    pubmed: 28543410doi: 10.1111/evj.12703google scholar: lookup
  30. McGowan CM, Frost R, Pfeiffer DU, Neiger R. Serum insulin concentrations in horses with equine Cushing's syndrome: response to a cortisol inhibitor and prognostic value.. Equine Vet J 2004 Apr;36(3):295-8.
    pubmed: 15147141doi: 10.2746/0425164044877288google scholar: lookup
  31. Wylie CE, Collins SN, Verheyen KL, Newton JR. Risk factors for equine laminitis: a case-control study conducted in veterinary-registered horses and ponies in Great Britain between 2009 and 2011.. Vet J 2013 Oct;198(1):57-69.
    pubmed: 24070987doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.08.028google scholar: lookup
  32. Bamford NJ, Potter SJ, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Breed differences in insulin sensitivity and insulinemic responses to oral glucose in horses and ponies of moderate body condition score.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2014 Apr;47:101-7.
    pubmed: 24308928doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.11.001google scholar: lookup
  33. Treiber KH, Kronfeld DS, Hess TM, Byrd BM, Splan RK, Staniar WB. Evaluation of genetic and metabolic predispositions and nutritional risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis in ponies.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006 May 15;228(10):1538-45.
    pubmed: 16677122doi: 10.2460/javma.228.10.1538google scholar: lookup
  34. Seematter G, Binnert C, Martin JL, Tappy L. Relationship between stress, inflammation and metabolism.. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2004 Mar;7(2):169-73.
    pubmed: 15075708doi: 10.1097/00075197-200403000-00011google scholar: lookup
  35. Sugimoto K, Rashid IB, Kojima K, Shoji M, Tanabe J, Tamasawa N, Suda T, Yasujima M. Time course of pain sensation in rat models of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and exogenous hyperinsulinaemia.. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2008 Nov-Dec;24(8):642-50.
    pubmed: 18973207doi: 10.1002/dmrr.903google scholar: lookup
  36. Rapson JL, Schott HC 2nd, Nielsen BD, McCutcheon LJ, Harris PA, Geor RJ. Effects of age and diet on glucose and insulin dynamics in the horse.. Equine Vet J 2018 Sep;50(5):690-696.
    pubmed: 29356053doi: 10.1111/evj.12812google scholar: lookup
  37. Jacob SI, Geor RJ, Weber PSD, Harris PA, McCue ME. Effect of age and dietary carbohydrate profiles on glucose and insulin dynamics in horses.. Equine Vet J 2018 Mar;50(2):249-254.
    pubmed: 28833406doi: 10.1111/evj.12745google scholar: lookup
  38. Gulshan M, Yaku K, Okabe K, Mahmood A, Sasaki T, Yamamoto M, Hikosaka K, Usui I, Kitamura T, Tobe K, Nakagawa T. Overexpression of Nmnat3 efficiently increases NAD and NGD levels and ameliorates age-associated insulin resistance.. Aging Cell 2018 Aug;17(4):e12798.
    pmc: PMC6052485pubmed: 29901258doi: 10.1111/acel.12798google scholar: lookup
  39. de Jesús Garduno-Garcia J, Gastaldelli A, DeFronzo RA, Lertwattanarak R, Holst JJ, Musi N. Older Subjects With β-Cell Dysfunction Have an Accentuated Incretin Release.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018 Jul 1;103(7):2613-2619.
    pmc: PMC6669818pubmed: 29672742doi: 10.1210/jc.2018-00260google scholar: lookup
  40. Frank N, Tadros EM. Insulin dysregulation.. Equine Vet J 2014 Jan;46(1):103-12.
    pubmed: 24033478doi: 10.1111/evj.12169google scholar: lookup
  41. McFarlane D. Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2011 Apr;27(1):93-113.
    pubmed: 21392656doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.12.007google scholar: lookup
  42. McFarlane D, Paradis MR, Zimmel D, Sykes B, Brorsen BW, Sanchez A, Vainio K. The effect of geographic location, breed, and pituitary dysfunction on seasonal adrenocorticotropin and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone plasma concentrations in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2011 Jul-Aug;25(4):872-81.
    pubmed: 21745243doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0745.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  43. Secombe CJ, Tan RHH, Perara DI, Byrne DP, Watts SP, Wearn JG. The Effect of Geographic Location on Circannual Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Plasma Concentrations in Horses in Australia.. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Sep;31(5):1533-1540.
    pmc: PMC5598888pubmed: 28661009doi: 10.1111/jvim.14782google scholar: lookup
  44. Durham AE, Shreeve S. Horse‐factors influencing the seasonal increase in plasma ACTH secretion. International Equine Endocrinology Summit 2017;36–37.
  45. Longland AC, Byrd BM. Pasture nonstructural carbohydrates and equine laminitis.. J Nutr 2006 Jul;136(7 Suppl):2099S-2102S.
    pubmed: 16772510doi: 10.1093/jn/136.7.2099sgoogle scholar: lookup
  46. Belknap JK. Laminitis in horses. Musculoskeletal System .
  47. Pollitt CC. Equine laminitis: Current concepts. RIRDC 2008.
  48. Sherlock C, Parks A. Radiographic and radiological assessment of laminitis. Equine Vet Educ 2013;25:524‐535.
  49. Hunt RJ, Wharton RE. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis of chronic laminitis in North America.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2010 Apr;26(1):141-53.
    pubmed: 20381743doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2009.12.006google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
  1. Akinniyi OO, Sackey AKB, Ochube GE, Mshelia PW, Musa FA, Elijah MO, Jolayemi KO. Occurrence of equine metabolic syndrome, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors in Nigeria. J Equine Sci 2023 Jun;34(2):29-35.
    doi: 10.1294/jes.34.29pubmed: 37405068google scholar: lookup
  2. Go YY, Hazard NW, Balasuriya UBR, Chapman AM, Fitton NS, Kenéz Á, Andrews FM. Clinical evaluation of the Immulite® 1000 chemiluminescent immunoassay for measurement of equine serum insulin. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1018230.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1018230pubmed: 37051514google scholar: lookup
  3. Ward AB, Stephen K, Argo CM, Harris PA, Watson CA, Neacsu M, Russell W, Grove-White DH, Morrison PK. COVID-19 impacts equine welfare: Policy implications for laminitis and obesity. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0252340.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252340pubmed: 34048478google scholar: lookup
  4. de Laat MA, Spence RJ, Sillence MN, Pollitt CC. An investigation of the equine epidermal growth factor system during hyperinsulinemic laminitis. PLoS One 2019;14(12):e0225843.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225843pubmed: 31805097google scholar: lookup
  5. de Laat MA, Reiche DB, Sillence MN, McGree JM. Incidence and risk factors for recurrence of endocrinopathic laminitis in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2019 May;33(3):1473-1482.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15497pubmed: 30972832google scholar: lookup
  6. Daradics Z, Popescu M, Cătoi C, Mircean MV, Macri A, Mîrza O, Szakacs A, Daina S, Fetea F, Tripon MA, Lupșan AF, Bungărdean D, Călugăr A, Bora FD, Crecan CM. Forage Carbohydrate Profiles and Endocrine Morphometric Interactions in Traditionally Managed Horses from Romania. Life (Basel) 2025 Nov 6;15(11).
    doi: 10.3390/life15111721pubmed: 41302145google scholar: lookup
  7. Davis EL, Wood AD, Potier JFN. Prevalence and Progression of Resting ACTH, Insulin and Adiponectin Values as Indicators of Suspected Endocrine Diseases in Sport Horses and Ponies Compared to Non-Sport Horses, Ponies and Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 1;15(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15091316pubmed: 40362130google scholar: lookup
  8. Galinelli NC, Bamford NJ, Erdody ML, Mackenzie SA, Warnken T, Harris PA, Sillence MN, Bailey SR. Effect of pergolide treatment on insulin dysregulation in horses and ponies with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1612-1622.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14468pubmed: 39967360google scholar: lookup
  9. Loos C, Castelein A, Vanzant E, Adam E, McLeod KR. Nutraceutical Supplement Mitigates Insulin Resistance in Horses with a History of Insulin Dysregulation During a Challenge with a High-Starch Diet. Animals (Basel) 2024 Nov 25;14(23).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14233385pubmed: 39682351google scholar: lookup
  10. Pinnell EF, Hostnik LD, Watts MR, Timko KJ, Thriffiley AA, Stover MR, Koenig LE, Gorman OM, Toribio RE, Burns TA. Effect of 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase agonists on insulin and glucose dynamics in experimentally induced insulin dysregulation in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):102-110.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16970pubmed: 38088223google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,780 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.