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PloS one2019; 14(7); e0220203; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220203

The cresty neck score is an independent predictor of insulin dysregulation in ponies.

Abstract: Generalized obesity, regional adiposity, hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia are all potential indicators of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). This study aimed to assess the relationship between morphometric measurements of body condition and metabolic hormone concentrations in ponies, with and without a neck crest or generalised obesity. Twenty-six ponies were assigned a body condition score (BCS) and cresty neck score (CNS). Height, girth, and neck measurements were taken. An oral glucose test (OGT; 0.75g dextrose/kg BW) was performed and blood samples collected prior to and 2 hours post dosing. Basal blood samples were analysed for blood glucose, serum insulin, triglyceride and leptin, and plasma HMW adiponectin concentrations. Post-prandial samples were analysed for serum insulin concentration. The ponies were grouped as having a) a normal to fleshy body status (BCS ≤7 and CNS ≤2; n = 10); b) having a high CNS, but without generalised obesity (BCS ≤7 and CNS ≥3; n = 11), or c) being obese (BCS ≥8 and CNS ≥1; n = 5). Responses to the OGT indicated that both normal and insulin-dysregulated ponies were included in the cohort. Post-prandial serum insulin was positively associated with CNS (P<0.035) and ponies with a CNS ≥ 3 had 5 times greater odds of being insulin-dysregulated. The high CNS group had a greater insulin response to the OGT than those in the normal/fleshy group (P = 0.006), whereas obese ponies did not differ from the other two groups. Basal HMW adiponectin was negatively correlated with post-prandial insulin concentrations (r = -0.5, P = 0.009), as well as being decreased in the group with a high CNS, compared to the obese group (P = 0.05). Cresty neck score was more predictive of insulin dysregulation than BCS, and this may be relevant to the diagnosis of EMS. Adiponectin may also be a measure of insulin dysregulation that is independent of body condition.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-24 PubMed ID: 31339945PubMed Central: PMC6655749DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220203Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research focuses on the role of the cresty neck score (CNS) as a predictor of insulin dysregulation in ponies. The study investigates how changes in a pony’s CNS can indicate the presence of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), which the researchers identify based on the pony’s body condition and hormonal levels.

Study Design and Methodology

  • Twenty-six ponies were used in this study, and each one was evaluated based on both body condition score (BCS) and cresty neck score (CNS).
  • The ponies’ heights, girths, and neck measurements were also recorded.
  • An oral glucose test was conducted, with blood samples taken before and after.
  • The basal blood samples were analyzed for levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, triglyceride and leptin, and plasma HMW adiponectin concentrations.
  • The samples collected after the glucose test were analyzed for serum insulin concentration.

Classification of Ponies

  • The ponies were classified into three groups based on their BCS and CNS: normal to fleshy body status (BCS ≤7 and CNS ≤2), high CNS but not generally obese (BCS ≤7 and CNS ≥3), and obese (BCS ≥8 and CNS ≥1).

Findings and Analysis

  • The study found that the ponies that had a high CNS had a greater insulin response to the OGT than ponies in the normal/fleshy category.
  • Interestingly, the obese ponies did not show a difference from the other two groups in terms of insulin response.
  • Further, ponies with a CNS score greater than or equal to 3 had five times the odds of being identified as insulin-dysregulated.
  • It was also found that higher basal HMW adiponectin concentration correlated negatively with insulin concentrations post-glucose ingestion. This means the higher the basal HMW adiponectin concentration, the lower the insulin concentration post-glucose ingestion.
  • Ponies with a high CNS score had lower HMW adiponectin concentrations compared to obese ponies.

Key Implications

  • The study concluded that the CNS is a more efficient determinant of insulin dysregulation than the BCS. This presents an opportunity for early diagnosis of EMS in ponies.
  • Adiponectin was identified as a potential measure of insulin dysregulation, and it could be used as a marker for this condition, regardless of the pony’s overall body condition.

Cite This Article

APA
Fitzgerald DM, Anderson ST, Sillence MN, de Laat MA. (2019). The cresty neck score is an independent predictor of insulin dysregulation in ponies. PLoS One, 14(7), e0220203. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220203

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
Pages: e0220203
PII: e0220203

Researcher Affiliations

Fitzgerald, Danielle M
  • Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences School, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Anderson, Stephen T
  • School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
Sillence, Martin N
  • Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences School, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
de Laat, Melody A
  • Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences School, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Anatomy, Veterinary / methods
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Body Weights and Measures / methods
  • Body Weights and Measures / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / metabolism
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Metabolic Syndrome / pathology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / veterinary
  • Neck / anatomy & histology
  • Neck / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Research Design

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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