Enteroinsular axis response to carbohydrates and fasting in healthy newborn foals

The enteroinsular axis (EIA) comprises intestinal factors (incretins) that stimulate insulin release after PO ingestion of nutrients. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are the main incretins. The EIA has not been investigated in healthy neonatal foals but should be important because energy demands are high in healthy foals and dysregulation is frequent in sick foals.

To evaluate the EIA response to carbohydrates or fasting in newborn foals. We hypothesized that incretin secretion would be higher after PO versus IV carbohydrate administration or fasting.

Thirty-six healthy Standardbred foals ≤4 days of age.

Prospective study. Blood was collected before and after a PO glucose test (OGT; 300, 500, 1000 mg/kg), an IV glucose test (IVGT; 300, 500, 1000 mg/kg), a PO lactose test (OLT; 1000 mg/kg), and fasting. Foals were muzzled for 240 minutes. Blood was collected over 210 minutes glucose, insulin, GIP, and GLP-1 concentrations were measured.

Only PO lactose caused a significant increase in blood glucose concentration (P < .05). All IV glucose doses induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Concentrations of GIP and GLP-1 decreased until foals nursed (P < .05), at which time rapid increases in glucose, insulin, GIP, and GLP-1 concentrations occurred (P < .05).

Healthy newborn foals have a functional EIA that is more responsive to milk and lactose than glucose. Non-carbohydrate factors in mare's milk may be important for EIA activity. Constant exposure of intestinal cells to nutrients to maintain EIA activity could be relevant to management of sick foals. Foals can be fasted for 4 hours without experiencing hypoglycemia.