Prevalence of insulin dysregulation in the non-obese stock-type horse and relationship with morphometric neck measurements.
Abstract: Insulin dysregulation (ID), core to equine metabolic syndrome, may present without obesity. Testing for ID risk is commonly based on breed and obese phenotype but might be valuable for non-obese stock-type horses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ID in non-obese stock-type horses and evaluate if morphometric neck measurements (MNM) correlate with ID. Sixty-two, non-obese (BCS 5, range 2.5-6/9) stock-type horses were assessed for MNM: neck circumference at 25%, 50% (NC50), and 75% (NC75) length, and crest height. An oral sugar test (OST; 0.15 mL/kg BW corn syrup) was performed with blood taken pre- and 60 min post-OST for insulin (PREI, POSTI) and glucose (PREG, POSTG). Insulin dysregulation was defined as insulin concentration > 45 µIU/mL POSTI. Three of 62 horses were ID (4.8%; 95% CI 1.0%-13.5%). Horses with ID had greater PREG (121.0 ± 7.56 vs. 105.3 ± 1.72 mg/dL; LS means ± SEM; P = 0.04) and PREI (15.7 ± 2.63 vs. 10.5 ± 0.59 µIU/mL; P = 0.05) than normal responders. Mares had greater PREI than geldings (11.7 ± 0.76 vs. 9.4 ± 0.89 µIU/mL; P = 0.04). Stepwise regression indicated a weak relationship with crest height and POSTG (y = 51.27 + (0.88 x NC50); R = 0.09; P = 0.02). Post-glucose correlated with NC50 (r = 0.30; P = 0.04) and NC75 (r = 0.29; P = 0.03). This study showed 4.8% of non-obese horses had ID, warranting testing irrespective of phenotype, but only a weak association between MNM and POSTG was found.
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2024-07-26 PubMed ID: 39069238DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105151Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research explores the prevalence of insulin dysregulation in non-obese horses and its relationship with morphometric neck measurements. It highlights that even non-obese horses can have insulin dysregulation risk and also points out a slightly weak correlation between neck measurements and post-glucose.
Study Overview
- The research was designed to determine the presence and prevalence of insulin dysregulation (ID) in non-obese stock-type horses. Insulin dysregulation is a key aspect of equine metabolic syndrome, a condition that can occur even without obesity. The study also sought to examine if morphometric neck measurements (MNM) have any relationship with ID.
Methodology
- For the study, 62 non-obese stock-type horses with a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 5 were selected. The neck measurements at various lengths (25%, 50%, and 75%) and the crest height were calculated and noted.
- An oral sugar test (OST) was performed on each horse to check their insulin and glucose levels both before and an hour after the test. Insulin dysregulation was defined as a post-OST insulin concentration higher than 45 µIU/mL.
Findings and Results
- Out of the 62 horses studied, 3 (approximately 4.8%) were identified with insulin dysregulation. Horses with ID had a higher pre-OST insulin and glucose concentration than those without ID.
- Females (mares) were found to display a higher pre-OST insulin level than males (geldings).
- The study also identified a weak correlation between the crest height and the post-glucose level of the horses.
- A marginal positive correlation was found between the post-OST glucose level and neck circumference at both 50% and 75% lengths.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that approximately 4.8% of non-obese horses had insulin dysregulation, suggesting that tests for ID should not be restricted to breed and obesity.
- While a correlation was observed between morphometric neck measurements and post-glucose levels, the relationship was relatively weak and requires additional research for validation.
Cite This Article
APA
Heaton CP, Cavinder CA, McClure EN, Smith T, Smith WB, Liburt N, Krotky A, Harris P.
(2024).
Prevalence of insulin dysregulation in the non-obese stock-type horse and relationship with morphometric neck measurements.
J Equine Vet Sci, 141, 105151.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105151 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States. Electronic address: cph0032@auburn.edu.
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States.
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States.
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States.
- Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States.
- Mars Horsecare U.S., Inc., Dalton, Ohio, 44618, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray LE14 4RT, United Kingdom.
- Mars Horsecare U.S., Inc., Dalton, Ohio, 44618, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray LE14 4RT, United Kingdom.
- Mars Horsecare U.S., Inc., Dalton, Ohio, 44618, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Melton Mowbray LE14 4RT, United Kingdom.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest All authors declare no competing interests.
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