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- Author or Editor: Janice E. Sojka x
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Abstract
Objective—To measure and compare the concentration and composition of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in plasma and selected lipids in serum of horses fed mixed grass hay ad libitum or denied feed for 36 hours.
Animals—4 healthy adult mares.
Procedure—Mares were either fed mixed grass hay ad libitum or denied feed for 36 hours beginning at 8:00 AM. Blood samples were collected every 2 hours during the study period and analyzed for nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), triglyceride (TG), VLDL, and glucose concentrations and composition of VLDL.
Results—Withholding feed significantly increased mean serum concentrations of NEFA. By 36 hours, a 16-fold increase in mean serum NEFA concentration and 2-fold increase in mean plasma VLDL concentration, compared with baseline values, were detected. Mean plasma TG concentrations significantly increased with time in feed-deprived horses. Significantly lower overall mean plasma glucose concentrations were detected in feed-deprived horses. Mean percentage of protein in VLDL was significantly lower in feed-deprived horses. Plasma VLDL concentrations varied widely among horses in response to withholding feed. Plasma TG and VLDL concentrations remained unaltered in 2 horses.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Withholding feed significantly increases blood lipid concentrations in horses, but individual horses respond differently. Serum NEFA concentrations were increased in all 4 horses denied feed, indicating mobilization of tissue triglyceride stores. Variation in plasma VLDL concentration in response to withholding feed suggests that its metabolism is strongly influenced by other, as yet undetermined, factors in horses. Differences in the plasma VLDL concentrations among horses in response to withholding feed may be used as an indication of susceptibility to the hyperlipemic syndrome of Equidae. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:1018–1021)
Abstract
Objective—To evaluate selected concentrations of blood lipids and lipase activities in euthyroid and hypothyroid horses deprived of feed for 96 hours.
Animals—4 healthy adult mares and 4 thyroidectomized adult mares.
Procedure—Horses were deprived of feed for 96 hours. Blood samples were collected at 24-hour intervals and analyzed to determine concentrations of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) as well as composition of VLDL. Plasma lipase activities were measured after feed was withheld for 96 hours and 12 days after resumption of feeding.
Results—Time significantly affected plasma NEFA, VLDL, TG, and TC concentrations in both groups of horses. During the 96-hour period, mean plasma concentrations of NEFA and VLDL increased 10-fold in euthyroid horses and increased 5-fold and 9-fold, respectively, in hypothyroid horses. Mean plasma TG concentrations increased 8-fold in both groups, and plasma TC concentrations significantly increased by 33 and 30%, respectively. Composition of VLDL was significantly affected by feed deprivation in euthyroid horses. Activities of lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase were significantly higher in feed-deprived horses. Activity of hepatic lipase was significantly lower in hypothyroid horses than in euthyroid horses.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Hypothyroidism did not significantly alter the magnitude of the response of blood lipids to feed deprivation. Thyroid hormones may reduce variability in blood lipid concentrations but do not determine susceptibility to hyperlipemia. Hypothyroidism does not appear to be a factor in the pathogenesis of hyperlipemia in horses. (Am J Vet Res 2003;64:823–828)
SUMMARY
The objectives of this experiment were to determine serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and free thyroxine (fT4) at rest, following thyroid-stimulating hormone (tsh) administration, and following phenylbutazone administration in healthy horses. This was done to determine which available laboratory test can best be used for diagnosis of hypothyroid conditions in horses. Serum T3, T4, and fT4 concentrations in serum samples obtained before and after tsh stimulation and following phenylbutazone administration for 7 days were determined.
Baseline values ranged from 0.21 to 0.80 ng of T3/ml, 6.2 to 25.1 ng of T4/ml, and 0.07 to 0.47 ng of fT3/dl. After 5 IU of tsh was administered IV, serum T3 values increased to 6 times baseline values in 2 hours. Thyroxine values increased to 3 times baseline values at 4 hours and remained high at 6 hours. Free T4 values increased to 4 times baseline values at 4 hours and remained high at 6 hours. Administration of 4.4 mg of phenylbutazone/kg, every 12 hours for 7 days significantly decreased T4 and fT4 values, but did not significantly affect serum T3 concentrations. It was concluded that a tsh stimulation test should be performed when hypothyroidism is suspected. Measurement of serum fT4 concentrations, by the single-stage radioimmunoassay, does not provide any additional information about thyroid gland function over that gained by measuring T4 concentrations. Phenylbutazone given at a dosage of 4.4 mg/kg every 24 hours, for 7 days did significantly decrease resting T4 and fT4 concentrations, but did not significantly affect T3 concentrations in horses.
Abstract
Objective—To determine whether urine protein-to-creatinine (UP:C) ratio assessment provides an estimate of urine protein excretion (UPE) over a 24-hour period in horses and ponies, establish a preliminary UP:C ratio reference range, and determine UP:C ratio variation over time in healthy equids.
Animals—11 female horses and 6 female ponies.
Procedures—Urine was collected from all equids at 4-hour intervals for 24 hours. Total 24-hour UPE (mg of protein/kg of body weight) and UP:C ratio were determined; these variables were also assessed in aliquots of urine collected at 4-hour intervals. On 2 additional days, urine samples were also obtained from 6 horses (1 sample/horse/d) to determine day-to-day variation in UP:C ratio. Correlation between 4-hour or 24-hour UPE and UP:C ratio values was assessed. Reference ranges for 24-hour UPE, 24-hour UP:C ratio, and 4-hour UP:C ratios were calculated as central 95th percentiles of observed values.
Results—Mean 24-hour UPE (4.28 ± 2.99 mg/kg) and 24-hour UP:C ratio (0.0 to 0.37) had excellent correlation (R = 0.826; P < 0.001) in both horses and ponies; analysis of 4-hour data also revealed good correlation (R = 0.782; P < 0.001) with these variables. Calculated UPE and UP:C ratio reference ranges were similar to established ranges in other species. Day-to-day variability in UP:C ratio was minimal, and all results were within the reference range calculated by use of the 24-hour urine samples.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Assessment of the UP:C ratio appears to be a reliable method for estimating 24-hour UPE in horses and ponies.
Abstract
Objective—To compare kinetics of the metabolism of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) apolipoprotein B (apoB) before and after thyroidectomy in mares.
Animals—5 healthy adult mares.
Procedure—Thyroidectomy was performed in euthyroid mares. Kinetics of VLDL apoB metabolism were measured before and after thyroidectomy by use of a bolus IV injection of 5,5,5-2H3 (98%) leucine (5 mg/kg) and subsequent isolation of labeled amino acid from plasma and VLDL. Labeled leucine was quantified by use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Production rate (PR), delay time, and fractional catabolic rate (FCR) were calculated for the 2 forms of equine VLDL, apoB-48 VLDL, and apoB-100 VLDL. Plasma lipid concentrations were measured, and VLDL composition was determined.
Results—Physical appearance of horses was not altered by thyroidectomy. Significantly lower mean blood concentrations of thyroid hormones and nonesterified fatty acids were detected following thyroidectomy. Mean percentage of free cholesterol in VLDL was significantly higher after thyroidectomy. Mean plasma VLDL concentration or kinetics of apoB-48 or apoB-100 were not significantly altered by thyroidectomy. Mean ± SEM PR was significantly lower (8.70 ± 1.61 mg/kg/d) and mean delay time significantly longer (1.58 ± 0.12 hours) for apoB-48 VLDL in euthyroid mares, compared with values for thyroidectomized mares (16.15 ± 2.24 mg/kg/d and 0.93 ± 0.10 hours, respectively).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Hypothyroidism did not significantly alter plasma VLDL concentrations or kinetics of VLDL apoB metabolism. Metabolism of apoB-48 VLDL differed significantly from that of apoB-100 VLDL in euthyroid mares. (Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1052–1058)
Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the effect of ovariectomy on insulin sensitivity in horses and determine whether the effects of suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis differ before and after ovariectomy.
Animals—6 healthy mares.
Procedures—The horses underwent an IV glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), an insulin sensitivity test, and a dexamethasone suppression test before and 5 weeks after ovariectomy. Body weight, serum cortisol and plasma ACTH concentrations, serum insulin-to-blood glucose concentration ratios, and changes in blood glucose concentration with time after injection of glucose or insulin were compared before and after ovariectomy.
Results—The dexamethasone injection resulted in a decrease in serum cortisol concentration before and after ovariectomy. In all horses, baseline plasma ACTH concentrations were within the reference range before and after ovariectomy. For each mare, results of an IVGTT before and after ovariectomy were considered normal. No significant differences in basal blood glucose concentration or time to reach baseline glucose concentration after an IVGTT were observed. Basal serum insulin concentration and serum insulin-to-blood glucose concentration ratios were not significantly different before or after ovariectomy, nor was the mean time to attain a 50% decrease in blood glucose concentration after insulin injection.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that ovariectomy does not appear to modify dexamethasone response in horses and that it does not modify short-term measures of insulin sensitivity. Findings suggested that horses undergoing ovariectomy are not at higher risk of developing equine metabolic syndrome or hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction and associated morbidity.
Abstract
Objective—To compare endogenous ACTH and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) concentrations after administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and to compare ACTH concentrations after TRH administration with those following domperidone administration in healthy horses and horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).
Design—Prospective case series.
Animals—69 clinically normal horses and 47 horses with or suspected to have PPID.
Procedures—ACTH concentrations were measured during 108 TRH stimulation tests in 88 horses, and α-MSH concentrations were measured during 56 TRH stimulation tests in 50 horses. In 28 of these horses, ACTH concentrations after domperidone administration were measured and test results were compared. The pituitary gland was histologically examined in all horses that were euthanatized.
Results—ACTH and α-MSH concentrations increased in all horses afterTRH administration, with a greater and more prolonged increase in horses with PPID. Percentage increase was significantly greater for α-MSH concentration than for ACTH concentration. The change in ACTH concentration after domperidone administration was less consistent in differentiating clinically normal horses from those with PPID than was the response to TRH.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that ACTH concentration in response to TRH administration was useful for the diagnosis of PPID in horses and appeared more accurate than response to domperidone administration. Use of an α-MSH concentration ≥ 30 or 50 pmol/L did not appear superior to use of an ACTH concentration ≥ 36 pg/mL for the diagnosis of PPID, either before or 30 minutes after TRH administration.
Abstract
Objective
To measure and compare concentrations of selected blood lipids before and after thyroidectomy in horses.
Animals
5 healthy adult mares.
Procedure
Mares were confirmed to be euthyroid. Thyroidectomy was performed, and hypothyroidism was confirmed. Selected blood lipid variables were measured before hypothyroidism was induced and weekly for 4 weeks after induction. Plasma concentrations of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) were measured. The composition of VLDL and LDL also was examined.
Results
Mean plasma concentrations of VLDL and LDL increased significantly after thyroidectomy. By 4 weeks after thyroidectomy, a ninefold increase in mean plasma concentration of VLDL and a threefold increase in LDL, compared with baseline values, were detected. After thyroidectomy, mean percentage of TG in VLDL increased significantly, whereas free cholesterol and cholesterol ester content decreased. Mean percentage of TG in LDL also increased by 3 to 4 weeks after thyroidectomy. Serum concentrations of TG and TC increased, whereas serum NEFA concentration decreased.
Conclusions
Hypothyroidism significantly alters blood lipid concentrations of horses. After thyroidectomy, markedly high VLDL concentration, appearance of TG-rich VLDL, increased serum concentrations of TG and TC, and decreased blood concentration of NEFA were evident.
Clinical Relevance
Examination of blood lipid concentrations of horses may be useful for detecting naturally acquired hypothyroidism. (Am J Vet Res 1999; 60:730-733)
