ArticleBMC veterinary research2026
Preliminary investigation of ghrelin in horses and ponies: receptor expression and associations with prandial state, morphometry and signalment.
Article in BMC veterinary research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
The hormone ghrelin has had limited attention in Equidae, despite connections with appetite and metabolic health in other species. Ghrelin influences hunger and food intake, energy expenditure and storage, glucose metabolism, and thermoregulation, through its receptor-mediated effects on tissues and via interaction with other hormones. There are two circulating forms, acylated and des-acylated ghrelin, considered to have distinct effects on metabolism in other species. The aims of this study were to confirm the presence of ghrelin receptors in equine tissues, to validate an assay for the measurement of total ghrelin (acylated and des-acylated forms) in horses, and to evaluate associations between ghrelin concentrations and prandial state, signalment and morphometry. Gene expression studies were conducted to identify ghrelin receptor isoforms 1a and 1b. A validation of a commercial kit for total ghrelin was undertaken. Finally, associations between active ghrelin concentrations and prandial state, signalment and morphometric traits were determined in a cohort of 35 horses and ponies with no evidence of metabolic disease. Expression of receptor type 1a was confirmed in equine pituitary gland and adrenal medulla, and detected in 6 other peripheral tissues. PCR product consistent with receptor type 1b was expressed in pituitary, adrenal medulla, adrenal cortex and ileum, but low yields prevented confirmation with sequencing. Parallelism and recovery on addition steps of the validation resulted in values outside the acceptable ranges, so total ghrelin concentration could not be measured. Post-prandial active ghrelin concentration was reduced (p = 0.001) by 19% and positively associated with age, but was not associated with bodyweight, height, or body condition. Pre-prandial active ghrelin concentrations were higher (p = 0.0003) in Welsh ponies compared to other horse and pony breeds. Receptor expression in disparate tissues suggests multiple roles for ghrelin in horses. Association of active ghrelin with age and breed warrants further investigation and could indicate physiological diversity in metabolic pathways in this species.
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