Veterinarians assessing laminitis risk in horses with metabolic disease traditionally rely on insulin measurements, but a research team at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center has validated a rapid clinical test kit for adiponectin, a hormone produced by fat cells.
University of Pennsylvania Researchers Validate Rapid Adiponectin Assay for Equids
Low adiponectin concentrations have been linked to insulin dysregulation and increased laminitis risk in previous studies. To make testing practical in the field, researchers evaluated a turbidimetric immunoassay—a test that measures liquid cloudiness to detect specific proteins—originally developed for humans. Andrew van Eps, professor and Dean W. Richardson Endowed Chair of Equine Disease Research at the New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, stated that adiponectin serves as a useful marker of metabolic health and laminitis risk.
It could be used as a clinical marker of metabolic disease/laminitis risk for screening and also monitoring response to diet/exercise and drug therapy,
van Eps said.
Testing Reliability Across Horses, Ponies, and Donkeys
Prior to this validation study, no study had confirmed the clinical validity of the human-derived test kit for equids, despite some laboratories offering the assay. Van Eps and his research team sought to determine whether the method could deliver rapid, same-day results in a clinical setting.
The assay that was tested was precise and reliable for measurement of adiponectin in horses, ponies, and donkeys,
van Eps explained. He confirmed that laboratories can process and return sample results on the same day, noting that the assay was sufficiently reliable for clinical use.
Contrasting Adiponectin and Insulin Measurements in Veterinary Practice
While direct assessment of laminitis risk was not the primary objective of this specific study, van Eps pointed out that previous research establishes low adiponectin as a strong predictor of laminitis risk in ponies. In light-breed horses, low adiponectin strongly associates with insulin dysregulation and preexisting laminitis.
To evaluate metabolic health more accurately, van Eps suggested veterinarians measure adiponectin alongside insulin. External factors such as feeding, transport stress, and pain can influence insulin concentrations, whereas these variables exert less influence on adiponectin levels. Consequently, measuring adiponectin in a single blood sample offers a more reliable indication of metabolic health for practitioners.
Adiponectin is a useful adjunct marker of metabolic health and laminitis risk that can be incorporated into annual health screening programs or as a diagnostic or monitoring tool when managing known cases of metabolic disease and laminitis,
van Eps added.
The complete findings, titled “Evaluation of an Immunoturbidometric Assay for Measurement of Total Adiponectin Concentration in Equine Serum Samples,” were published in the May 2026 issue of Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
Frequently Asked Questions About Equine Adiponectin Testing
What is adiponectin and how does it relate to equine laminitis?
Adiponectin is a hormone produced by fat cells that acts as a marker for metabolic health. Previous studies have demonstrated that low concentrations of this hormone correlate with insulin dysregulation and an increased risk of laminitis in equids.
Why measure adiponectin instead of relying solely on insulin tests?
Insulin levels in horses can fluctuate due to variables like feeding, transport stress, and pain. Adiponectin concentrations are less affected by these external factors, giving veterinarians a more reliable indicator when evaluating metabolic disease.
How quickly can veterinarians obtain results from the validated assay?
The validated turbidimetric immunoassay allows laboratories to provide test results on the same day they receive the equine serum samples, making it practical for active field monitoring.