Data from: Maternal obesity increases insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and osteochondrosis lesions in foals and yearlings until 18 months of age

Obesity is a growing concern in horses. The effects of maternal obesity on
maternal metabolism and low-grade inflammation during pregnancy, as well
as offspring growth, metabolism, low-grade inflammation, testicular
maturation and osteochondrotic lesions until 18 months of age were
investigated. Twenty-four mares were used and separated into two groups at
insemination according to body condition score (BCS): Normal (N, n=10, BCS
≤4) and Obese (O, n=14, BCS ≥4.25). BCS and plasma glucose, insulin,
triglyceride, urea, non-esterified fatty acid, serum amyloid A (SAA),
leptin and adiponectin concentrations were monitored throughout gestation.
At 300 days of gestation, a Frequently Sampled Intravenous Glucose
Tolerance Test (FSIGT) was performed. After parturition, foals'
weight and size were monitored until 18 months of age with plasma SAA,
leptin, adiponectin, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and cortisol
concentrations measured at regular intervals. At 6, 12 and 18 months of
age, FSIGT and osteoarticular examinations were performed. Males were
gelded at one year and expression of genes involved in testicular
maturation analysed by RT-qPCR. Throughout the experiment, maternal BCS
was higher in O versus N mares. During gestation, plasma urea and
adiponectin were decreased and SAA and leptin increased in O versus N
mares. O mares were also more insulin resistant than N mares with a higher
glucose effectiveness. Postnatally, there was no difference in offspring
growth between groups. Nevertheless, SAA plasma concentrations were
increased in O versus N foals until 6 months, with O foals being
consistently more insulin resistant with a higher glucose effectiveness.
At 12 months of age, O foals were significantly more affected by
osteochondrosis than N foals. All other parameters were not different
between groups. In conclusion, maternal obesity altered metabolism and
increased low-grade inflammation in both dams and foals. The risk of
developing osteochondrosis at 12 months of age was also higher in foals
born to obese dams.