Comparison of insulin sensitivity between healthy neonatal foals and horses using minimal model analysis.

The equine neonate is considered to have impaired glucose tolerance due to delayed maturation of the pancreatic endocrine system. Few studies have investigated insulin sensitivity in newborn foals using dynamic testing methods. The objective of this study was to assess insulin sensitivity by comparing the insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (I-FSIGTT) between neonatal foals and adult horses.

Dynamics of androgens in healthy and hospitalized newborn foals.

Background: Information on steroids derived from the adrenal glands, gonads, or fetoplacental unit is minimal in newborn foals.

Objective: To measure androgen concentrations in serum and determine their association with disease severity and outcome in hospitalized foals.

Animals: Hospitalized (n = 145) and healthy (n = 80) foals.