Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration
Straw’s low energy content means it is a roughage option for horses with low energy requirements. Previously, in a field study, straw was associated with an increased risk for gastric ulcers. This study evaluated the effect on gastric ulcers, metabolic profile and behaviour of replacing, in a forage...
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/8/2197 |
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| author | Anna Jansson Patricia Harris Sara Larsdotter Davey Nanna Luthersson Sveinn Ragnarsson Sara Ringmark |
| author_facet | Anna Jansson Patricia Harris Sara Larsdotter Davey Nanna Luthersson Sveinn Ragnarsson Sara Ringmark |
| author_sort | Anna Jansson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Straw’s low energy content means it is a roughage option for horses with low energy requirements. Previously, in a field study, straw was associated with an increased risk for gastric ulcers. This study evaluated the effect on gastric ulcers, metabolic profile and behaviour of replacing, in a forage-only ration, 50% of the daily allowance with wheat straw. Six equines were studied in a 2 × 21-day cross-over design. The control diet (CON: 100% grass forage) and the straw diet (S: 50% grass forage and 50% straw [DM basis]) were iso-energetic. Gastroscopy was performed prior to the study and on day 21 and blood samples were collected and behavioural observations were performed. Diet did not affect squamous or glandular gastric ulcer scores (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Feed intake time was longer (<i>p</i> < 0.05) plus energy intake and plasma insulin concentrations were lower on diet S compared to CON (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Plasma serotonin concentrations tended to be higher on diet S compared to CON (<i>p</i> = 0.05). The results suggest that good hygienic quality wheat straw can be included for up to 50% of the diet without causing gastric ulcers and that it can extend feeding time and promote a metabolic profile more suitable for overweight horses. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:05:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-89da5f37c46b4da6b941c9560207a977 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:05:24Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-89da5f37c46b4da6b941c9560207a9772023-11-22T06:28:38ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-07-01118219710.3390/ani11082197Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric UlcerationAnna Jansson0Patricia Harris1Sara Larsdotter Davey2Nanna Luthersson3Sveinn Ragnarsson4Sara Ringmark5Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, SwedenWALTHAM Petcare Science Institute Waltham-on-the Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT, UKUniversity Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, SwedenHestedoktoren I/S, Hvalsøvej 298, 4360 Kr. Eskilstrup, DenmarkDepartment of Equine Science, Hólar University, IS-551 Sauðárkrókur, IcelandDepartment of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, SwedenStraw’s low energy content means it is a roughage option for horses with low energy requirements. Previously, in a field study, straw was associated with an increased risk for gastric ulcers. This study evaluated the effect on gastric ulcers, metabolic profile and behaviour of replacing, in a forage-only ration, 50% of the daily allowance with wheat straw. Six equines were studied in a 2 × 21-day cross-over design. The control diet (CON: 100% grass forage) and the straw diet (S: 50% grass forage and 50% straw [DM basis]) were iso-energetic. Gastroscopy was performed prior to the study and on day 21 and blood samples were collected and behavioural observations were performed. Diet did not affect squamous or glandular gastric ulcer scores (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Feed intake time was longer (<i>p</i> < 0.05) plus energy intake and plasma insulin concentrations were lower on diet S compared to CON (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Plasma serotonin concentrations tended to be higher on diet S compared to CON (<i>p</i> = 0.05). The results suggest that good hygienic quality wheat straw can be included for up to 50% of the diet without causing gastric ulcers and that it can extend feeding time and promote a metabolic profile more suitable for overweight horses.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/8/2197gastric ulcerinsulinsatietystrawserotoninweight loss |
| spellingShingle | Anna Jansson Patricia Harris Sara Larsdotter Davey Nanna Luthersson Sveinn Ragnarsson Sara Ringmark Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration Animals gastric ulcer insulin satiety straw serotonin weight loss |
| title | Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration |
| title_full | Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration |
| title_fullStr | Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration |
| title_short | Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration |
| title_sort | straw as an alternative to grass forage in horses effects on post prandial metabolic profile energy intake behaviour and gastric ulceration |
| topic | gastric ulcer insulin satiety straw serotonin weight loss |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/8/2197 |
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