Though longstanding literature suggests that newborn foals have impaired glucose tolerance due to immaturity of their endocrine system, scientists at Ohio State University recently determined that newborn foals are actually more sensitive to insulin than mature horses.
Led by Dr. Hannah Kinsella, the team evaluated glucose and insulin levels in healthy newborn foals and compared them to the levels of healthy horses using intravenous glucose tolerance test samples. Twelve healthy Standardbred foals between 24 and 60 hours old were used in the study; eight horses of other breeds that were between 3 and 14 years were also used.
The results suggest that a newborn foals' pancreas can secrete a high level of insulin, which allows it to save energy. Baseline glucose in foals was found to be significantly higher than in horses, showing that foals are insulin sensitive in their first days of life.
The ability to maintain normal glucose levels may also prevent low blood sugar right after birth. The team suggested that this may indicate evolutionary adaptations that allow the foal to transition to life outside the womb.
“Published reference ranges for glucose in the neonatal foal are higher than those used for adults, and the results of this study further solidify that this should be taken into account in the clinical management of the neonatal foal,” Dr. Kinsella reported. “The question of whether the use of tight or liberal glycemic control is more beneficial in the treatment of the critically ill neonate continues to remain controversial, and additional investigation is warranted.”
Read the study here.
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