The effect of age and diet on the oral glucose tolerance test in ponies.

The research paper explores the impact of age and differing diets on oral glucose tolerance tests in healthy ponies. It reveals that both age and diet significantly affect plasma glucose levels during such tests.

Objective of the Research

• The study was aimed at understanding the effects of age and diet on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in healthy ponies.

Methodology

• OGTTs were carried out on two groups of British native breed ponies, each with varying ages. Group A composed of 7 foals between ages 6 to 9 months, while Group B consisted of 7 mature ponies aged between 6 to 13 years.
• These tests were undertaken while the ponies were under two different dietary conditions: a high fibre pelleted ration only (for both Groups A and B) or a hay only diet (Group B).

Results and Observations

• The plasma glucose response after oral glucose administration in Group A showed a significant difference from that in Group B, when fed the same diet. For Group A, the basal plasma glucose concentration [Glu0] was around 4.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/l and increased to 11.5 +/- 1.3 mmol/l at 90 minutes.
• For Group B, Glu0 was around 4.3 +/- 0.2 mmol/l and it increased to 6.8 +/- 1.3 mmol/l at 90 minutes.
• Also, a significant difference in the plasma glucose response after oral glucose administration was observed in Group B when fed hay only (Glu0 – 4.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/l increasing to 9.6 +/- 2.1 mmol/l at 150 minutes) compared to when fed the high fibre pelleted ration.
• This difference was significant with a P-value less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance.

Conclusion

• From the above observations, this research concludes, both age and diet have a notable effect on plasma glucose concentrations measured during an OGTT in ponies.