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.

Variation in insulin response to oral sugar test in a cohort of horses throughout the year and evaluation of risk factors for insulin dysregulation

“…However, in that study laminitis was induced with diet and therefore the risk factors may not have been the same as those in naturally occurring cases 41 . On the other hand, HMW adiponectin has been shown to correlate negatively with both basal 21 and postprandial insulin, 42 and in our study, decreasing adiponectin was a significant risk factor for increased InsMax after OST. Additionally, adiponectin was significantly lower in ID horses vs. non‐ID horses.…”

“…Similar findings have been observed in a previous study where postprandial insulin concentration was positively associated with CNS, and ponies with a CNS ≥3 had five times greater odds of having ID. 42 Additionally, it was suggested that CNS would be more predictive of ID than BCS. In the present study, CNS and BCS were the same between the ID groups, but ID horses had a longer neck circumference than non-ID horses.…”

Equine metabolic syndrome in UK native ponies and cobs is highly prevalent with modifiable risk factors

“…The causal relationship between obesity and EMS remains unclear, but a proinflammatory state 28 and dysregulation of adipokines, for example adiponectin and leptin 3 , 13 are likely. An association between BCS and ID has been lacking in some smaller experimental studies, 29 while others have demonstrated an effect of diet 30 or regional adiposity. 2 , 29 Although BCS is an imperfect predictor of total body fat 31 these results support its use as a modifiable risk factor and to screen for animals at increased risk of EMS.…”

“…An association between BCS and ID has been lacking in some smaller experimental studies, 29 while others have demonstrated an effect of diet 30 or regional adiposity. 2 , 29 Although BCS is an imperfect predictor of total body fat 31 these results support its use as a modifiable risk factor and to screen for animals at increased risk of EMS.…”

The application of a new laminitis scoring method to model the rate and pattern of improvement from equine endocrinopathic laminitis in a clinical setting

“…Horses with identifiable causes of laminitis other than HAL, such as colic or sepsis, were excluded from the study. Evidence of ID, consistent with HAL, included at least one of the following conditions: a high body condition score (≥ 4/5 on the Carroll and Huntingdon scale) [ 26 ], fat in specific sites such as the nuchal crest [ 27 ], a previous diagnosis of insulin dysregulation according to basal insulin concentrations or dynamic testing, and/or a diagnosis of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). Horses with PPID were only included if they were either untreated (and remained so), or received a constant dose of pergolide for at least 6 weeks prior to the study, and were maintained on the drug throughout the study.…”