The impact of stress factors on metabolism in horses with insulin resistance

Horses have unique adaptive mechanisms for maintaining a stable metabolism under physical or stressful conditions. However, stress factors have a significant impact on metabolism in horses, especially in animals with insulin resistance. The aim of our research was to determine the effect of stress factors on the main metabolic parameters in horses with insulin resistance. The studies were conducted on twenty horses, 10 of which formed the control group and 10 – the experimental group with signs of obesity. Serum glucose concentration, insulin, cortisol, triglycerides, cholesterol, lactate and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) were measured. Urine levels of ketone bodies, ammonia and creatinine were measured. It was found that stress causes serious metabolic changes in obese horses, including hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, activation of lipolysis and anaerobic metabolism in the blood serum, and an increase in ketone bodies, ammonia levels and creatinine concentration in the urine confirm the need to control metabolic changes in animals with insulin resistance, especially under stressful conditions.