Insulin dysregulation in a population of Finnhorses and associated phenotypic markers of obesity

Box, Justin R, McGowan, Cathy M ORCID: 0000-0002-1946-9584, Raekallio, Marja R, Mykkanen, Anna K, Carslake, Harry ORCID: 0000-0003-1288-1768 and Karikoski, Ninja P (2020) Insulin dysregulation in a population of Finnhorses and associated phenotypic markers of obesity. JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, 34 (4). pp. 1599-1605.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15782

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Obesity and insulin dysregulation (ID) predispose horses to laminitis. Determination of management practices or phenotypic markers associated with ID may benefit animal welfare.<h4>Objectives</h4>Determine ID status of a population of Finnhorses using an oral sugar test (OST) and compare phenotypes and management factors between ID and non-ID Finnhorses.<h4>Animals</h4>One hundred twenty-eight purebred Finnhorses ≥3 years of age.<h4>Methods</h4>Owners were recruited using an online questionnaire regarding signalment, history, feeding, and exercise of their horses. Selected contributing stables within a predefined area were visited. Phenotypic markers of obesity and the weight of each horse were recorded. After fasting overnight, horses received 0.45 mL/kg corn syrup PO. Serum samples before and at 60 and 90 minutes after syrup administration were analyzed for insulin by chemiluminescent assay. Horses met ID criteria if insulin concentrations were ≥33 μIU/mL at T0, ≥66 μIU/mL at T60 or T90 or some combination thereof. Associations between phenotypic markers, feeding and exercise variables, and ID were examined using mixed effects logistic regression modeling.<h4>Results</h4>Several phenotypic markers of obesity were significant on univariable analysis but in the final multivariable model, only obesity (body condition score ≥8) was associated with ID (P = .04). Over half of the horses (60% [95% confidence interval (CI), 51%-68%]) were considered overweight or obese whereas 16% (95% CI, 10%-23%) were classified as having ID.<h4>Conclusions and clinical importance</h4>Because obesity is associated with ID in cold-blooded type horses, objective monitoring of phenotypic markers by owners may be beneficial for health outcomes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	EMS, equine, laminitis, OST
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	22 Jun 2020 09:53
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 23:48
DOI:	10.1111/jvim.15782
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15782
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3090793