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Methodologies to Identify Metabolic Pathway Differences Between Emaciated and Moderately Conditioned Horses: A Review
Madeline M P Austin1, Jennie L Z Ivey1, Elizabeth A Shepherd1
1Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, 2506 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|October 29, 2025
Summary
Equine starvation triggers significant metabolic shifts, altering gene expression in key tissues. Understanding these molecular changes is crucial for improving horse recovery and welfare.
Area of Science:
- Equine physiology and molecular biology.
- Metabolic regulation and gene expression analysis.
Background:
- Starvation in horses poses welfare and economic challenges, with poorly understood molecular mechanisms of metabolic adaptation and recovery.
- Prolonged caloric deprivation causes systemic metabolic shifts, impacting carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, reflected in tissue-specific gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on equine metabolic responses to starvation, focusing on molecular pathways identified through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
- To highlight the transcriptional reprogramming during starvation and refeeding in horses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on equine starvation, emphasizing studies utilizing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
- Analysis of gene expression shifts reflecting metabolic transitions and tissue-specific responses.
Main Results:
- Gene expression changes indicate a shift from carbohydrate to lipid metabolism, suppressed anabolic signaling, and activated proteolytic pathways.
- Molecular changes vary across tissues (skeletal muscle, liver, adipose), with distinct transcriptional signatures and recovery patterns.
- Factors like post-mortem interval and tissue handling can influence transcriptomic data.
Conclusions:
- Current molecular investigations provide insights into equine starvation responses but require cautious interpretation due to methodological variables.
- Gaps in research include limited longitudinal data, inconsistent sampling, and lack of standardized reference genes.
- Addressing these limitations will enhance understanding of equine starvation, inform rehabilitation strategies, and improve welfare outcomes.
