The Seasonality of Serum Insulin Concentrations in Equids and the Association With Breed, Age, and Sex

ABSTRACT Background Current laboratory reference values for serum insulin concentrations do not account for seasonal fluctuations and differences associated with breed, sex, and age. Hypothesis We hypothesized that serum insulin concentrations would differ with the season, breed, sex, and age. Anima...

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Main Authors: Ana Lopes, Laura Huber, Andy E. Durham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70089
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author Ana Lopes
Laura Huber
Andy E. Durham
author_facet Ana Lopes
Laura Huber
Andy E. Durham
author_sort Ana Lopes
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Current laboratory reference values for serum insulin concentrations do not account for seasonal fluctuations and differences associated with breed, sex, and age. Hypothesis We hypothesized that serum insulin concentrations would differ with the season, breed, sex, and age. Animals Laboratory records from 21 236 cases. Methods Cases were included where basal serum insulin concentration (INS) or serum insulin concentration after administration of Karo light syrup (INSpk) was measured, along with plasma glucose, breed, age, and sex. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate a seasonal effect on serum insulin concentrations, alongside the effect of breed, age, and sex. Results Basal serum insulin concentration in winter was significantly higher than in the other seasons (p < 0.001). Serum insulin concentration following administration of Karo light syrup in winter was significantly higher than in summer and fall (p < 0.001). The breed effect was assessed in the 9 most prevalent breeds and the donkey. Shetland ponies had significantly higher INS and INSpk than all breeds except Welsh ponies(p < 0.01). Welsh ponies had significantly higher INS than all other breeds except Shetland ponies (p < 0.01). Welsh ponies had significantly higher INSpk than all breeds (all p < 0.001), except Arabians, New Forest ponies, and Shetland ponies. Females had significantly higher INS than males (p < 0.001) and there was a positive and significant association between age and INS (est = 0.02; SE = 0.002, p < 0.001). Conclusions Insulin concentrations are influenced by season, breed, age, and sex. This information is essential for better understanding and management of insulin dysregulation.
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spelling doaj-art-5019020e7d1a4e6a82fb9a04b1e88aeb2025-08-20T03:54:11ZengWileyJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine0891-66401939-16762025-05-01393n/an/a10.1111/jvim.70089The Seasonality of Serum Insulin Concentrations in Equids and the Association With Breed, Age, and SexAna Lopes0Laura Huber1Andy E. Durham2Liphook Equine Hospital UKDepartment of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine Auburn University Auburn Alabama USALiphook Equine Hospital UKABSTRACT Background Current laboratory reference values for serum insulin concentrations do not account for seasonal fluctuations and differences associated with breed, sex, and age. Hypothesis We hypothesized that serum insulin concentrations would differ with the season, breed, sex, and age. Animals Laboratory records from 21 236 cases. Methods Cases were included where basal serum insulin concentration (INS) or serum insulin concentration after administration of Karo light syrup (INSpk) was measured, along with plasma glucose, breed, age, and sex. Multivariate analysis was used to investigate a seasonal effect on serum insulin concentrations, alongside the effect of breed, age, and sex. Results Basal serum insulin concentration in winter was significantly higher than in the other seasons (p < 0.001). Serum insulin concentration following administration of Karo light syrup in winter was significantly higher than in summer and fall (p < 0.001). The breed effect was assessed in the 9 most prevalent breeds and the donkey. Shetland ponies had significantly higher INS and INSpk than all breeds except Welsh ponies(p < 0.01). Welsh ponies had significantly higher INS than all other breeds except Shetland ponies (p < 0.01). Welsh ponies had significantly higher INSpk than all breeds (all p < 0.001), except Arabians, New Forest ponies, and Shetland ponies. Females had significantly higher INS than males (p < 0.001) and there was a positive and significant association between age and INS (est = 0.02; SE = 0.002, p < 0.001). Conclusions Insulin concentrations are influenced by season, breed, age, and sex. This information is essential for better understanding and management of insulin dysregulation.https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70089endocrineequinelaboratory samplesseason
spellingShingle Ana Lopes
Laura Huber
Andy E. Durham
The Seasonality of Serum Insulin Concentrations in Equids and the Association With Breed, Age, and Sex
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
endocrine
equine
laboratory samples
season
title The Seasonality of Serum Insulin Concentrations in Equids and the Association With Breed, Age, and Sex
title_full The Seasonality of Serum Insulin Concentrations in Equids and the Association With Breed, Age, and Sex
title_fullStr The Seasonality of Serum Insulin Concentrations in Equids and the Association With Breed, Age, and Sex
title_full_unstemmed The Seasonality of Serum Insulin Concentrations in Equids and the Association With Breed, Age, and Sex
title_short The Seasonality of Serum Insulin Concentrations in Equids and the Association With Breed, Age, and Sex
title_sort seasonality of serum insulin concentrations in equids and the association with breed age and sex
topic endocrine
equine
laboratory samples
season
url https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70089
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