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Home / Equine Research Bank / Aust Vet J / Age-related differences in collagen crimp patterns in the su...
Australian veterinary journal1997; 75(1); 39-44; doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1997.tb13829.x

Age-related differences in collagen crimp patterns in the superficial digital flexor tendon core region of untrained horses.

Abstract: To measure collagen fibril crimp angles and lengths as well as collagen fibril mass-average diameters in central and peripheral regions of the superficial digital flexor tendon of wild horses, to ascertain any age-related changes in either region in the absence of imposed galloping exercise. Methods: Measurements from a random cull of wild horses. Methods: Superficial digital flexor tendon samples were taken from 23 wild horses ranging in age from two to ten years. Methods: Horses were divided into 'young' (< 5 years, n = 10), 'middle-aged' (5 to < 10 years, n = 9) and 'old' groups (10+ years, n = 4) and the mean crimp angle, mean crimp length and collagen fibril mass-average diameter calculated for the central region, and for the peripheral region of each group. Differences between groups and regions were analysed using two-tailed t tests. Results: The crimp angle for the central region was found to decrease with age, so that in old horses it was smaller than that for the tendon periphery (P, 0.05). The crimp angle for the latter region did not alter significantly with age. Crimp period lengths and collagen fibril mass-average diameters did not show significant changes with age in either region. Conclusions: Reduction of the crimp angle in the core of the superficial digital flexor tendon occurs normally with age, as tendons of older animals would have undergone a higher number of loading cycles. It is possible that athletic training increases the frequency and/or the magnitude of high loading cycles experienced by the tendon, and may accelerate and worsen the normal load-related ageing process in the superficial digital flexor tendons of young performance horses, particularly in the central regions where lesions usually occur.
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Publication Date: 1997-01-01 PubMed ID: 9034498DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1997.tb13829.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigated the effect of age on the collagen crimp patterns in the superficial digital flexor tendon of wild horses. It specifically examined the changes in collagen fibril crimp angles and diameters, and observed a decrease in the crimp angle of the tendon’s central region with increasing age.

Objectives and Methodology

  • The research aimed to measure the crimp angles and lengths of collagen fibrils, as well as their mass-average diameters, in both the central and peripheral regions of the superficial digital flexor tendon in wild horses. The goal was to identify any age-related changes.
  • The study used samples from the superficial digital flexor tendon from 23 wild horses, aged between two and ten years.
  • To facilitate analysis, the horses were grouped into ‘young’ (< 5 years), 'middle-aged' (5 to < 10 years), and 'old' (10+ years).
  • The mean crimp angle, mean crimp length, and collagen fibril mass-average diameter were calculated for both the central and peripheral regions of each group and evaluated using two-tailed t tests.

Findings

  • Results showed that the crimp angle in the central region of the tendon decreased with age, becoming smaller than that of the tendon periphery in older horses.
  • The periphery’s crimp angle did not significantly change with age, nor did the lengths of the crimp periods and collagen fibril mass-average diameters in either region.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concluded that a reduction in the crimp angle of the core of the superficial digital flexor tendon normally occurs with age, as the tendons of older animals would have experienced a higher number of loading cycles.
  • It is suggested that athletic training may increase the frequency or magnitude of high loading cycles experienced by the tendon, potentially accelerating and exacerbating the normal ageing process in the superficial digital flexor tendons of young performance horses. This is particularly critical in the central regions where lesions usually occur.

Cite This Article

APA
Patterson-Kane JC, Firth EC, Goodship AE, Parry DA. (1997). Age-related differences in collagen crimp patterns in the superficial digital flexor tendon core region of untrained horses. Aust Vet J, 75(1), 39-44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1997.tb13829.x

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 0005-0423
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 75
Issue: 1
Pages: 39-44

Researcher Affiliations

Patterson-Kane, J C
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand.
Firth, E C
    Goodship, A E
      Parry, D A

        MeSH Terms

        • Aging / physiology
        • Animals
        • Collagen / analysis
        • Collagen / physiology
        • Collagen / ultrastructure
        • Female
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Horses / physiology
        • Male
        • Microscopy, Electron / methods
        • Microscopy, Electron / veterinary
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
        • Tendons / chemistry
        • Tendons / physiology
        • Tendons / ultrastructure

        Citations

        This article has been cited 26 times.
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