26/07/2026
🦄⭐️Nutritional News ⭐️🦄
Adipose tissue is fat.
Adipose tissue is part of the Endocrine System.
Adipose tissue in excess can lead to fat deposits which can lead obesity which can lead to metabolic diseases.
What’s the connection and what’s the endocrine system?
❗️❌there is a photo of adipose tissue taken from a dissection so take care when viewing❗️❌
ADIPOSE TISSUE IS BODY FAT. It is a connective tissue made from adipocyte cells. Normally adipose tissue (body fat) stores energy for later use and helps to keep the body warm, however, TOO MUCH CAN CREATE FAT DEPOSITS LEADING TO OBESITY.
There are 2 types of adipose tissue:
1️⃣White fat = stores calories that haven’t been used, with the theory that it will be used later, eg in times of excess exercise
2️⃣Brown fat = burns the fat to create heat
ADIPOSE TISSUE ACTS AS AN ACTIVE ENDOCRINE ORGAN. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM RELEASES HORMONES INTO THE BLOODSTREAM TO REGULATE METABOLISM, GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION. The major endocrine glands and organs are:
➡️Pituitary gland
➡️Adrenal glands
➡️Thyroid gland
➡️Pancreas
➡️Reproductive organs
➡️Adipose tissue
Two common endocrine disorders are:
1️⃣Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) (also known as Cushing’s Disease)
Progressive neurodegenerative disorder where the pituitary gland malfunctions and overproduces ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) which leads to high cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone and is the main stress hormone. Cortisol also helps to regulate metabolism.
2️⃣Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
Insulin resistance and a risk of laminitis. The hormone insulin helps the body to use sugar for energy by allowing the muscles and fat to take glucose from the blood. Resistance leads to more insulin being produced and released (creating high levels of insulin) and disrupts the communication to the muscles and fat so they stop taking glucose.
So…..it is important to keep an eye on your horses body condition score and review regularly if there are any fat deposits. Body condition scoring is easy to do, just by looking at the key areas of your horse’s body.
⚖️Balancing your horses diet for optimum health and performance⚖️
References:
Equine Anatomy in Layers page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553639254779 for showing this photo of adipose (fat) deposits. I have chosen to show just this one photo, however, the original post had a series of photos. Original post, posted by Equine Anatomy in Layers on July 23, 2026.
MSD Veterinary Manual. Viewed 26/07/2026. Article: Introduction to Hormonal Disorders of Horses. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/horse-owners/hormonal-disorders-of-horses/introduction-to-hormonal-disorders-of-horses -of-Endocrine-System-Disease_v3218557
Ohio State University. Viewed 26/07/2026. Article: Evaluating Body Composition of Horses
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/as-1024
The Horse. Viewed 26/07/2026. Article: Equine Body Condition Score Poster
https://thehorse.com/137703/equine-body-condition-score-poster/
