FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / The Effect of Fasting Duration on Baseline Blood Glucose Con...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2016; 30(5); 1726-1731; doi: 10.1111/jvim.14529

The Effect of Fasting Duration on Baseline Blood Glucose Concentration, Blood Insulin Concentration, Glucose/Insulin Ratio, Oral Sugar Test, and Insulin Response Test Results in Horses.

Abstract: Published descriptions of the oral sugar test (OST) and insulin response test (IRT) have been inconsistent when specifying the protocol for fasting horses before testing. The purpose of our study was to examine the effect of fasting duration on blood glucose concentration, blood insulin concentration, glucose/insulin ratio, OST, and IRT results in horses. Methods: Ten healthy adult horses. Methods: Both OST and IRT were performed on horses without fasting and after fasting for 3, 6, and 12 hours. Thus, 8 tests were performed per horse in a randomized order. Blood collected at the initial time point of the OST was analysed for both blood glucose and serum insulin concentrations so that baseline concentrations and the glucose/insulin ratio could be determined. Unless fasted, horses had free-choice access to grass hay. Results: There was no effect of fasting and fasting duration on blood glucose concentration, serum insulin concentration, glucose/insulin ratio, or the OST. Response to insulin in the IRT was decreased in fasted horses. The effect increased with fasting duration, with the least response to insulin administration after a 12-hour fast. Conclusions: These data indicate that insulin sensitivity is not a fixed trait in horses. Fasting a horse is not recommended for a glucose/insulin ratio or IRT, and fasting a horse for 3 hours is recommended for the OST.
Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2016-08-02 PubMed ID: 27481572PubMed Central: PMC5032872DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14529Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

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 article investigates the impact of different fasting durations on blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as glucose/insulin ratio, oral sugar test (OST), and insulin response test (IRT) results in horses. The study reveals that fasting duration does not significantly alter glucose concentration, insulin concentration, glucose/insulin ratio, or OST results. However, it does affect insulin sensitivity in the IRT, with sensitivity decreasing as fasting duration increases.

Research Design and Methods

  • The research involved ten healthy adult horses, and applied a comprehensive methodology to analyze the effect of various fasting durations on the baseline concentration of blood glucose and insulin, and on results of OST and IRT in horses.
  • A series of OST and IRT were conducted on these horses both when they were not fasted, and after fasting for durations of 3, 6, and 12 hours. A randomized order was maintained, leading to each horse undergoing eight tests in total.
  • For the baseline data, blood samples collected at the initial time point of the OST were used, and both blood glucose and serum insulin were measured. This data was to determine baseline concentrations and the glucose/insulin ratio.
  • The feeding condition of the horses varied based on the experiment design. The horses were allowed free-choice access to grass hay unless they were supposedly fasted.

Results and Findings

  • The research demonstrates no significant effect of fasting or fasting duration on blood glucose concentration, serum insulin concentration, glucose/insulin ratio, or the OST.
  • A contrasting trend was found when testing the insulin response in the IRT. It was observed that horses who were fasted had a decreased insulin response, with this effect intensifying with the length of the fasting duration.
  • This pointed to the result that after a 12-hour fast, the horses exhibited the least response to the administration of insulin.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • Based on the study’s outcomes, the researchers concluded that insulin sensitivity in horses is a variable trait and not a fixed one. This variability is influenced by the fasting status and duration.
  • From a practical standpoint, the researchers recommend against fasting a horse for conducting a glucose/insulin ratio or IRT. However, when carrying out an OST, fasting a horse for a period of 3 hours is suggested.

Cite This Article

APA
Bertin FR, Taylor SD, Bianco AW, Sojka-Kritchevsky JE. (2016). The Effect of Fasting Duration on Baseline Blood Glucose Concentration, Blood Insulin Concentration, Glucose/Insulin Ratio, Oral Sugar Test, and Insulin Response Test Results in Horses. J Vet Intern Med, 30(5), 1726-1731. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14529

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 5
Pages: 1726-1731

Researcher Affiliations

Bertin, F R
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Taylor, S D
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Bianco, A W
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Sojka-Kritchevsky, J E
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. sojkaje@purdue.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Food Deprivation / physiology
  • Glucose Tolerance Test / veterinary
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / metabolism
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin / metabolism

References

This article includes 29 references
  1. Lebovitz HE. Insulin resistance: definition and consequences.. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2001;109 Suppl 2:S135-48.
    pubmed: 11460565doi: 10.1055/s-2001-18576google scholar: lookup
  2. Treiber KH, Kronfeld DS, Hess TM, Byrd BM, Splan RK, Staniar WB. Evaluation of genetic and metabolic predispositions and nutritional risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis in ponies.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006 May 15;228(10):1538-45.
    pubmed: 16677122doi: 10.2460/javma.228.10.1538google scholar: lookup
  3. Rijnen KE, van der Kolk JH. Determination of reference range values indicative of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance by use of glucose clamp techniques in horses and ponies.. Am J Vet Res 2003 Oct;64(10):1260-4.
    pubmed: 14596464doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.1260google scholar: lookup
  4. Tóth F, Frank N, Elliott SB, Perdue K, Geor RJ, Boston RC. Optimisation of the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test to reduce urinary glucose spilling in horses.. Equine Vet J 2009 Dec;41(9):844-51.
    pubmed: 20383980doi: 10.2746/042516409x439661google scholar: lookup
  5. Schuver A, Frank N, Chameroy KA, Elliott SB. Assessment of insulin and glucose dynamics by using an oral sugar test in horses.. J Eq Vet Sci 2014;34:465–470.
  6. Kronfeld DS, Treiber KH, Geor RJ. Comparison of nonspecific indications and quantitative methods for the assessment of insulin resistance in horses and ponies.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005 Mar 1;226(5):712-9.
    pubmed: 15776943doi: 10.2460/javma.2005.226.712google scholar: lookup
  7. Eiler H, Frank N, Andrews FM, Oliver JW, Fecteau KA. Physiologic assessment of blood glucose homeostasis via combined intravenous glucose and insulin testing in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2005 Sep;66(9):1598-604.
    pubmed: 16261835doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.1598google scholar: lookup
  8. Caltabilota TJ, Earl LR, Thompson DL Jr, Clavier SE, Mitcham PB. Hyperleptinemia in mares and geldings: assessment of insulin sensitivity from glucose responses to insulin injection.. J Anim Sci 2010 Sep;88(9):2940-9.
    pubmed: 20495126doi: 10.2527/jas.2010-2879google scholar: lookup
  9. Bertin FR, Sojka-Kritchevsky JE. Comparison of a 2-step insulin-response test to conventional insulin-sensitivity testing in horses.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2013 Jan;44(1):19-25.
    pubmed: 22920264doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2012.07.003google scholar: lookup
  10. Murphy D, Reid SW, Love S. The effect of age and diet on the oral glucose tolerance test in ponies.. Equine Vet J 1997 Nov;29(6):467-70.
    pubmed: 9413720doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1997.tb03160.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  11. Carter RA, McCutcheon LJ, George LA, Smith TL, Frank N, Geor RJ. Effects of diet-induced weight gain on insulin sensitivity and plasma hormone and lipid concentrations in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2009 Oct;70(10):1250-8.
    pubmed: 19795940doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.10.1250google scholar: lookup
  12. Evans JW. Effect of fasting, gestation, lactation and exercise on glucose turnover in horses.. J Anim Sci 1971 Nov;33(5):1001-4.
    pubmed: 5119968doi: 10.2527/jas1971.3351001xgoogle scholar: lookup
  13. Goodpaster BH, Kelley DE, Wing RR, Meier A, Thaete FL. Effects of weight loss on regional fat distribution and insulin sensitivity in obesity.. Diabetes 1999 Apr;48(4):839-47.
    pubmed: 10102702doi: 10.2337/diabetes.48.4.839google scholar: lookup
  14. Carter RA, McCutcheon LJ, Valle E, Meilahn EN, Geor RJ. Effects of exercise training on adiposity, insulin sensitivity, and plasma hormone and lipid concentrations in overweight or obese, insulin-resistant horses.. Am J Vet Res 2010 Mar;71(3):314-21.
    pubmed: 20187833doi: 10.2460/ajvr.71.3.314google scholar: lookup
  15. Morgan RA, Keen JA, McGowan CM. Treatment of equine metabolic syndrome: A clinical case series.. Equine Vet J 2016 Jul;48(4):422-6.
    pubmed: 25808563doi: 10.1111/evj.12445google scholar: lookup
  16. Horowitz M, Edelbroek MA, Wishart JM, Straathof JW. Relationship between oral glucose tolerance and gastric emptying in normal healthy subjects.. Diabetologia 1993 Sep;36(9):857-62.
    pubmed: 8405758doi: 10.1007/bf00400362google scholar: lookup
  17. Frank N. Equine metabolic syndrome.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2011 Apr;27(1):73-92.
    pubmed: 21392655doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2010.12.004google scholar: lookup
  18. Singh AK, Jiang Y, White T, Spassova D. Validation of nonradioactive chemiluminescent immunoassay methods for the analysis of thyroxine and cortisol in blood samples obtained from dogs, cats, and horses.. J Vet Diagn Invest 1997 Jul;9(3):261-8.
    pubmed: 9249165doi: 10.1177/104063879700900307google scholar: lookup
  19. Reimers TJ, Lamb SV, Bartlett SA, Matamoros RA, Cowan RG, Engle JS. Effects of hemolysis and storage on quantification of hormones in blood samples from dogs, cattle, and horses.. Am J Vet Res 1991 Jul;52(7):1075-80.
    pubmed: 1892262
  20. Legro RS, Finegood D, Dunaif A. A fasting glucose to insulin ratio is a useful measure of insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998 Aug;83(8):2694-8.
    pubmed: 9709933doi: 10.1210/jcem.83.8.5054google scholar: lookup
  21. Kim W, Egan JM. The role of incretins in glucose homeostasis and diabetes treatment.. Pharmacol Rev 2008 Dec;60(4):470-512.
    pmc: PMC2696340pubmed: 19074620doi: 10.1124/pr.108.000604google scholar: lookup
  22. de Laat MA, Clement CK, Sillence MN, McGowan CM, Pollitt CC, Lacombe VA. The impact of prolonged hyperinsulinaemia on glucose transport in equine skeletal muscle and digital lamellae.. Equine Vet J 2015 Jul;47(4):494-501.
    pubmed: 24995680doi: 10.1111/evj.12320google scholar: lookup
  23. http://www.safergrass.org/pdf/AAEP.pdf
  24. Place NJ, McGowan CM, Lamb SV, Schanbacher BJ, McGowan T, Walsh DM. Seasonal variation in serum concentrations of selected metabolic hormones in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2010 May-Jun;24(3):650-4.
    pubmed: 20384949doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0500.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  25. Newman WP, Brodows RG. Insulin action during acute starvation: evidence for selective insulin resistance in normal man.. Metabolism 1983 Jun;32(6):590-6.
    pubmed: 6341773doi: 10.1016/0026-0495(83)90029-xgoogle scholar: lookup
  26. Koffler M, Kisch ES. Starvation diet and very-low-calorie diets may induce insulin resistance and overt diabetes mellitus.. J Diabetes Complications 1996 Mar-Apr;10(2):109-12.
    pubmed: 8777329doi: 10.1016/1056-8727(94)00077-8google scholar: lookup
  27. Unsal H, Cotelioglu U. The effects of food restriction on some biochemical parameters and certain bacterial groups in the cecum in Sprague Dawley rats.. Microbial Ecol Health Dis 2007;19:17–24.
  28. Firshman AM, Valberg SJ. Factors affecting clinical assessment of insulin sensitivity in horses.. Equine Vet J 2007 Nov;39(6):567-75.
    pubmed: 18065318doi: 10.2746/042516407x238512google scholar: lookup
  29. Frank N, Sojka JE, Latour MA. Effect of withholding feed on concentration and composition of plasma very low density lipoprotein and serum nonesterified fatty acids in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2002 Jul;63(7):1018-21.
    pubmed: 12118663doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2002.63.1018google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
  1. Filippo PAD, Duarte BR, Albernaz AP, Quirino CR. Effects of feed deprivation on physical and blood parameters of horses.. Braz J Vet Med 2021;43:e000321.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm000321pubmed: 35749104google scholar: lookup
  2. Timko KJ, Hostnik LD, Watts MR, Chen C, Bercz A, Toribio RE, Belknap JK, Burns TA. Diagnostic evaluation of insulin and glucose dynamics in light-breed horses receiving dexamethasone.. Can Vet J 2022 Jun;63(6):617-626.
    pubmed: 35656529
  3. Kinsella HM, Hostnik LD, Snyder HA, Mazur SE, Kamr AM, Burns TA, Mossbarger JC, Toribio RE. Comparison of insulin sensitivity between healthy neonatal foals and horses using minimal model analysis.. PLoS One 2022;17(1):e0262584.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262584pubmed: 35030228google scholar: lookup
  4. Hicks GR, Fraser NS, Bertin FR. Changes Associated with the Peri-Ovulatory Period, Age and Pregnancy in ACTH, Cortisol, Glucose and Insulin Concentrations in Mares.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 20;11(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11030891pubmed: 33804751google scholar: lookup
  5. 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).
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skaa095pubmed: 32211767google scholar: lookup
  6. Kritchevsky JE, Muir GS, Leschke DHZ, Hodgson JK, Hess EK, Bertin FR. Blood glucose and insulin concentrations after alpha-2-agonists administration in horses with and without insulin dysregulation.. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):902-908.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15747pubmed: 32100334google scholar: lookup
  7. Leschke DH, Muir GS, Hodgson JK, Coyle M, Horn R, Bertin FR. Immunoreactive insulin stability in horses at risk of insulin dysregulation.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Nov;33(6):2746-2751.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15629pubmed: 31617618google scholar: lookup
  8. Horn R, Bertin FR. Evaluation of combined testing to simultaneously diagnose pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and insulin dysregulation in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Sep;33(5):2249-2256.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15617pubmed: 31498947google scholar: lookup
  9. Hodge E, Kowalski A, Torcivia C, Lindborg S, Stefanovski D, Hart K, Frank N, van Eps A. Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation testing on the oral sugar test in horses when performed as a combined protocol.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Sep;33(5):2272-2279.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15601pubmed: 31432575google scholar: lookup
  10. 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.
    pubmed: 31156265
  11. 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.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15423pubmed: 30724412google scholar: lookup
  12. 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.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.14725pubmed: 28543933google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.