Equine intravenous glucose tolerance test: glucose and insulin responses of healthy horses fed grain or hay and of horses with pituitary adenoma

Am J Vet Res. 1986 Mar;47(3):570-2.

Abstract

Intravenous glucose tolerance testing (0.5 g/kg of body weight) was done on 2 groups of healthy horses maintained with hay (group 1, n = 5) and with hay plus grain supplementation (group 2, n = 5) and on a group of horses with clinically diagnosed pituitary adenoma (group 3, n = 10). Healthy horses showed an immediate increase of plasma glucose concentration after the IV glucose injection, with return of values to base line in 1 hour. Group 3 horses showed resting hyperglycemia and a delayed return of glucose values to base line (3 hours). Group 3 horses showed resting hyperinsulinemia and a feeble (nonsignificant) response to the glycemic stimulus, with gradual decrease of insulin values to base line. In addition to the apparently reduced tissue sensitivity to insulin in group 3 horses, as evidenced by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and protracted glucose and insulin curves, the initial decrease in the insulin/glucose ratio indicates that there was secretory deficiency in response to acute IV glucose loading.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / blood
  • Adenoma / veterinary*
  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / analysis*
  • Edible Grain
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / blood*
  • Horses / blood*
  • Insulin / blood*
  • Male
  • Orchiectomy
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / blood
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Poaceae
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin