REPEATABILITY OF AN ORAL GLUCOSE TEST IN PONIES.
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Insulin dysregulation can be difficult to diagnose from basal insulin and glucose concentrations, so a field-based oral glucose test (OGT) is preferred. However, the repeatability of this test has not been reported. The objectives of this repeated measures, longitudinal study were to determine the repeatability of an in-feed OGT in ponies and examine some factors affecting the palatability of the test meal.
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An in-feed OGT was performed at 08.00 h on 3 consecutive occasions under controlled conditions in 8 mixed breed ponies. d-glucose (0.75 g/kg bwt) was dissolved in water and combined with wheat bran and lucerne chaff.
Blood samples were taken before and 90, 120, 180 min and 24 h after d-glucose.
The repeatability of the test was analysed with repeated measures ANOVA.
Insulin and glucose responses to d-glucose were also compared to an equivalent dose of dietary carbohydrate provided with a commercial grain mixture.
The overall insulin responses to the OGTs did not differ between tests.
Individual insulin responses were more variable (P<0.05) than glucose responses.
There was no difference in insulin concentration in post d-glucose samples over time.
Insulin and glucose responses to grain and d-Glucose were not different.
An OGT is reasonably repeatable in ponies.
The currently recommended post-glucose sampling time point of 2 h is acceptable, with sampling at 90 min also likely to produce a consistent result.
The use of an alternative carbohydrate source to d-glucose, such as a commercial grain-based product, may be a viable and more palatable option for the test.
Source: de Laat, M. A. and Sillence, M. N. (2016), The repeatability of an oral glucose test in ponies. Equine Veterinary Journal. doi: 10.1111/evj.12579
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