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Stress response as a contributing factor in horses with laminitis.
Abstract: Laminitis is a complex and debilitating disease of horses. Numerous predisposing factors contribute to laminitis development, however the exact pathogenesis remains undetermined. Serum T4, cortisol, and histamine are components of the innate stress response and could play a causative or contributory role. Stress hormone concentrations in laminitis are largely unknown. Objective: To evaluate parameters associated with stress response in horses with laminitis, and compare these to healthy horses and horses with gastrointestinal (GI) disease. Methods: Thirty-eight adult horses presenting for non-medical conditions, GI abnormalities, or clinical laminitis were prospectively enrolled. Horses were assigned to the appropriate disease group (healthy, GI disease, and laminitis) and had blood drawn on presentation to the hospital. Samples were analyzed for plasma endogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (eACTH), serum cortisol, serum thyroid hormone, and plasma histamine. Results: Stress hormone concentrations were significantly different between horses in the laminitis and GI disease groups. Plasma histamine levels were highest in horses with laminitis, compared with GI disease and controls. Both horses with laminitis and GI disease had increased plasma eACTH when compared to healthy horses. Horses with GI disease had higher serum cortisol concentrations than horses with laminitis or controls. Serum T4 was lower in horses with GI disease than in horses with laminitis and controls. Conclusions: Horses with laminitis had relative increases in both plasma histamine and eACTH concentrations. Serum T4 and cortisol concentrations of horses with laminitis did not differ significantly when compared to healthy horses. The role of stress hormones in equine disease warrants further investigation.
© 2023 The Korean Society of Veterinary Science.
Publication Date: 2023-04-04 PubMed ID: 37012040PubMed Central: PMC10071284DOI: 10.4142/jvs.22039Google 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
Summary
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This research explored the possible link between stress hormones and laminitis in horses. While the exact causes of laminitis are unclear, it was found that stress hormone concentrations differed significantly between horses with laminitis and those with gastrointestinal diseases.
Objective and Purpose of Research
The main focus of this research was to analyze the possible role of stress response in the development of laminitis in horses. Horses can produce a variety of hormones in response to stress, including T4, cortisol, and histamine, and these where monitored in this study.
Overview of Methods and Techniques Used
- The sample population was comprised of 38 adult horses presenting for non-medical conditions, gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities, or clinical laminitis.
- Horses were classified into groups based on their health status – either healthy, with GI disease or with laminitis.
- Blood samples were taken when they arrived at the hospital.
- These blood samples were then tested for plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (eACTH), serum cortisol, serum thyroid hormone, and plasma histamine concentrations.
Discussion of Results
- The results showed significant differences in stress hormone levels between the horses in the laminitis and GI disease groups.
- Notably, horses with laminitis had the highest levels of plasma histamine compared with the GI disease and control groups.
- Horses with either laminitis or GI disease showed increased plasma eACTH compared to healthy horses.
- The horses with GI disease had elevated serum cortisol levels compared to horses with laminitis or the controls.
- Serum T4 levels were lower in horses with GI disease than in horses with laminitis or the control group.
Conclusions and Implications for Future Research
These findings suggest that horses with laminitis see a relative increase in the plasma histamine and eACTH concentrations. However, the research also found that the laminitis group did not have significantly different serum T4 and cortisol concentrations compared to healthy horses. This indicates that the role of these stress hormones in relation to equine disease like laminitis warrants further in-depth research.
Cite This Article
APA
Moss A, Leise B, Hackett E.
(2023).
Stress response as a contributing factor in horses with laminitis.
J Vet Sci, 24(2), e33.
https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.22039 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Eileen.Hackett@cornell.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Hydrocortisone
- Histamine
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Inflammation / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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