Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
10161803 The Professional Animal Scientist 2015 9 Pages PDF
Abstract
This preliminary study compares the effects of a twice-daily meal of sweet feed (SF) to a free-choice molasses-based block (BL) on interstitial glucose patterns in horses. Six geldings were equipped with continuous glucose monitoring systems and used in a crossover design over two 6-d periods. Diets consisted of free-choice prairie hay with either SF fed twice daily or free-choice access to a BL. Total intake was not different, with 10.6 kg of DM for horses on both dietary treatments (P > 0.05). A novelty effect was observed where horses consumed more BL in the first 12 h of exposure than during any remaining time period. Mean interstitial glucose concentration was 3.55 ± 0.15 and 4.18 ± 0.13 mM for horses consuming SF and BL, respectively (P = 0.44). Horses consuming SF had an initial glucose response that ranged from immediate to 2 h, and there was a second significant glucose response in 1 to 2 horses per time period that ranged from 2 to 4 h after feeding. The amount of BL consumed was significantly positively correlated with glucose response in 3 of 4 horses over multiple time periods (P ≤ 0.05). The maximum correlation between BL consumed and glucose response was r = 0.25 for 2 horses and r = 0.42 for the third horse. Patterns of postprandial glucose response varied from an immediate effect, to a delay of 15 min, to a delay of 4.5 h (P ≤ 0.05). Glucose responses were similar between treatments, although variability among horses was noted in quantity of BL consumed as well as timing and magnitude of glucose responses.
Related Topics
Life Sciences Agricultural and Biological Sciences Animal Science and Zoology
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