Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Postprandial glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 responses of different equine breeds adapted to meals containing micronized maize.
Abstract: The enteroinsular axis is a complex system that includes the release of incretin hormones from the gut to promote the absorption and utilization of glucose after a meal. The insulinogenic effect of incretin hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) remains poorly characterized in the horse. The aim of this study was to compare postprandial glucose, insulin, and GLP-1 responses of different equine breeds adapted to twice-daily meals containing micronized maize. Four Standardbred horses, 4 mixed-breed ponies, and 4 Andalusian cross horses in moderate BCS (5.5 ± 0.2 out of 9) were fed meals at 0800 and 1600 h each day. The meals contained micronized maize (mixed with soaked soybean hulls and lucerne chaff), with the amount of maize gradually increased over 12 wk to reach a final quantity of 1.7 g/kg BW (1.1 g/kg BW starch) in each meal. Animals had ad libitum access to the same hay throughout. After 12 wk of acclimation, serial blood samples were collected from all animals over a 14-h period to measure concentrations of glucose, insulin, and GLP-1, with meals fed immediately after the 0 and 8 h samples. Glucose area under the curve (AUC) values were similar between breed groups (P = 0.41); however, ponies and Andalusian horses exhibited significantly higher insulin AUC values after both meals compared with Standardbred horses (both P < 0.005). Postprandial GLP-1 AUC values were also significantly higher in ponies and Andalusian horses compared with Standardbred horses (breed × time interaction; P < 0.001). Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive association between concentrations of insulin and GLP-1 over time (rs = 0.752; P < 0.001). The increased insulin concentrations in ponies and Andalusian horses may partly reflect lower insulin sensitivity but could also be attributed to increased GLP-1 release. Given that hyperinsulinemia is a recognized risk factor for the development of laminitis in domestic equids, this study provides evidence that the enteroinsular axis warrants further investigation.
Publication Date: 2015-10-07 PubMed ID: 26440006DOI: 10.2527/jas.2014-8736Google 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.
- 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 paper assesses how different breeds of horse respond to meals containing micronized maize in terms of glucose, insulin, and a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is involved in the body’s regulation of insulin and glucose. It identifies that certain breeds produce more insulin and GLP-1 after eating these meals and suggests that this could indicate a lower sensitivity to insulin or increased GLP-1 release.
Research Methodology
- The study selected horses from three different breeds: four Standardbred horses, four mixed-breed ponies, and four Andalusian cross horses, with each horse in a moderate BCS (Body Condition Score).
- The horses were fed twice daily at a fixed time with meals composed of micronized maize, soaked soybean hulls, and lucerne chaff.
- The quantity of maize given to the horses was gradually increased over a duration of 12 weeks, which was meant to accustom the horses to the diet.
- Following the acclimation, the researchers collected blood samples from each horse to measure the concentrations of glucose, insulin, and GLP-1 (a hormone important in the absorption and utilization of glucose after a meal).
Findings
- There was no significant difference in the glucose levels among the three breeds of horses.
- However, both ponies and Andalusian horses exhibited significantly higher insulin and GLP-1 levels when compared to Standardbred horses.
- A positive association was observed between the concentrations of insulin and GLP-1 over time.
Implications
- This study suggests that the higher insulin levels in ponies and Andalusian horses could be attributed to either a lower sensitivity to insulin or an increased GLP-1 release.
- The findings are significant as elevated insulin levels are a known risk factor for the development of laminitis, a painful and serious disease in domestic equids.
- This fosters the need for further research into the enteroinsular axis – the system enabling the release of hormones from the gut that promotes glucose absorption – as it may play a crucial role in understanding equine metabolic health.
Cite This Article
APA
Bamford NJ, Baskerville CL, Harris PA, Bailey SR.
(2015).
Postprandial glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 responses of different equine breeds adapted to meals containing micronized maize.
J Anim Sci, 93(7), 3377-3383.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-8736 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Blood Glucose / analysis
- Breeding
- Diet / veterinary
- Food Handling
- Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide
- Glucagon / metabolism
- Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / blood
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Insulin / blood
- Insulin Resistance
- Postprandial Period
- Zea mays
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Delarocque J, Feige K, Carslake HB, Durham AE, Fey K, Warnken T. Development of a Web App to Convert Blood Insulin Concentrations among Various Immunoassays Used in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 24;13(17).
- Stefanovski D, Robinson MA, Van Eps A. Effect of a GLP-1 mimetic on the insulin response to oral sugar testing in horses. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jul 29;18(1):294.
- Potter SJ, Bamford NJ, Baskerville CL, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Comparison of Feed Digestibility between Ponies, Standardbreds and Andalusian Horses Fed Three Different Diets. Vet Sci 2021 Dec 31;9(1).
- d' Fonseca NMM, Gibson CME, van Doorn DA, de Ruijter-Villani M, Stout TAE, Roelfsema E. Effect of long-term overfeeding of a high-energy diet on glucose tolerance in Shetland pony mares. J Vet Intern Med 2020 May;34(3):1339-1349.
- Spears JW, Lloyd KE, Siciliano P, Pratt-Phillips S, Goertzen EW, McLeod SJ, Moore J, Krafka K, Hyda J, Rounds W. Chromium propionate increases insulin sensitivity in horses following oral and intravenous carbohydrate administration. J Anim Sci 2020 Apr 1;98(4).
- Rings LM, Swink JM, Dunbar LK, Burns TA, Toribio RE. Enteroinsular axis response to carbohydrates and fasting in healthy newborn foals. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Nov;33(6):2752-2764.
- Fitzgerald DM, Pollitt CC, Walsh DM, Sillence MN, de Laat MA. The effect of different grazing conditions on the insulin and incretin response to the oral glucose test in ponies. BMC Vet Res 2019 Oct 16;15(1):345.
- Moser K, Banse H. Comparison of the glucose and insulin responses of horses to 2 formulations of corn syrup. Can Vet J 2019 Jun;60(6):637-643.
- Durham AE, Frank N, McGowan CM, Menzies-Gow NJ, Roelfsema E, Vervuert I, Feige K, Fey K. ECEIM consensus statement on equine metabolic syndrome. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):335-349.
- Bamford NJ, Potter SJ, Baskerville CL, Harris PA, Bailey SR. Influence of dietary restriction and low-intensity exercise on weight loss and insulin sensitivity in obese equids. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jan;33(1):280-286.
- Baskerville CL, Chockalingham S, Harris PA, Bailey SR. The effect of insulin on equine lamellar basal epithelial cells mediated by the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor. PeerJ 2018;6:e5945.
- Fitzgerald DM, Walsh DM, Sillence MN, Pollitt CC, de Laat MA. Insulin and incretin responses to grazing in insulin-dysregulated and healthy ponies. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jan;33(1):225-232.
- de Laat MA, Kheder MH, Pollitt CC, Sillence MN. Sweet taste receptor inhibitors: Potential treatment for equine insulin dysregulation. PLoS One 2018;13(6):e0200070.
- Kheder MH, Bailey SR, Dudley KJ, Sillence MN, de Laat MA. Equine glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor physiology. PeerJ 2018;6:e4316.
- Frank N, Walsh DM. Repeatability of Oral Sugar Test Results, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Measurements, and Serum High-Molecular-Weight Adiponectin Concentrations in Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Jul;31(4):1178-1187.
- 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).
- Kemp KL, Skinner JE, Bertin FR. Effect of phenylbutazone administration on the enteroinsular axis in horses with insulin dysregulation. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17256.
- de Laat MA, Fitzgerald DM, Harris PA, Bailey SR. A glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonist reduces the insulin response to a glycemic meal in ponies. J Anim Sci 2023 Jan 3;101.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
