Characteristics of collagen fibrils in the entire equine superficial digital flexor tendon.
Abstract: The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is one of the longest tendons in the horse. In racehorses, disturbance of the locomotor functions of the SDFT occurs most frequently in the central area of the mid-metacarpal region. While many studies have investigated the equine SDFT, there are no reports to date of the morphological characteristics of collagen fibrils in the central and peripheral areas of each of the three regions that comprise the entire tendon: the myotendinous junction (MTJ), the mid-metacarpal region (mM) and the osteotendinous junction (OTJ). Mass average diameter (MAD), which provides functional information on the mean collagen fibril diameter and tensile strength of the tendon, was found to be smaller in the central area than in the peripheral area of all three regions. The MAD value was lowest in both the central and peripheral areas in the MTJ region, and tended to increase generally in a distal direction in the OTJ. The OTJ is important parts that unite with the bone. We conclude that morphological structure suggested that it corresponds to biomechanical function in some region of the equine SDFT.
Publication Date: 2008-01-12 PubMed ID: 18186224DOI: 10.2535/ofaj.84.111Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the morphological characteristics of collagen fibrils in different areas of the horse’s superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), a frequently stressed tendon in racehorses. The findings suggest that the structure of these collagen fibrils varies across different regions and may correspond to biomechanical function.
About the Research
- The research focuses on the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in horses, specifically racehorses. The SDFT is one of the longest tendons in a horse’s anatomy and is frequently subjected to high stress in racing.
- The purpose of the study was to investigate the morphological characteristics of collagen fibrils in the tendon, as these fibrils play a significant role in the tendon’s tensile strength and flexibility.
- The study is novel because it examines all three regions that comprise the SDFT–the myotendinous junction (MTJ), the mid-metacarpal region (mM), and the osteotendinous junction (OTJ). Importantly, it investigates differences between the central and peripheral areas within each of these regions, making it a more detailed analysis than previous studies.
Key Findings
- A key measurement in this study was the Mass Average Diameter (MAD) of the collagen fibrils. The MAD provides functional information on the mean collagen fibril diameter and by implication the potential tensile strength of the tendon.
- The study found that the MAD was smaller in the central area than in the peripheral area of all three regions of the SDFT examined, indicating differences in collagen fibril structure depending on the specific location within the tendon.
- The researchers also found that the MAD value was lowest in the MTJ region, both in the central and peripheral areas, and generally increased towards the distal direction in the OTJ region.
Conclusions
- Based on these observations, the research concludes that the morphological structure of collagen fibrils within the horse’s SDFT suggests that it corresponds to biomechanical function in some regions of the tendon.
- In other words, the collagen fibril structure may vary according to the specific biomechanical demands placed on different parts of the tendon, demonstrating a clear relationship between structure and function.
Cite This Article
APA
Sese M, Ueda H, Watanabe T, Yamamoto E, Hosaka Y, Tangkawattana P, Takehana K.
(2008).
Characteristics of collagen fibrils in the entire equine superficial digital flexor tendon.
Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn, 84(3), 111-114.
https://doi.org/10.2535/ofaj.84.111 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Collagen / physiology
- Collagen / ultrastructure
- Extremities / anatomy & histology
- Extremities / physiology
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Leg Bones / anatomy & histology
- Leg Bones / physiology
- Locomotion / physiology
- Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- Species Specificity
- Tendons / anatomy & histology
- Tendons / physiology
- Tensile Strength
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Ribitsch I, Gueltekin S, Keith MF, Minichmair K, Peham C, Jenner F, Egerbacher M. Age-related changes of tendon fibril micro-morphology and gene expression. J Anat 2020 Apr;236(4):688-700.
- Watanabe T, Imamura Y, Suzuki D, Hosaka Y, Ueda H, Hiramatsu K, Takehana K. Concerted and adaptive alignment of decorin dermatan sulfate filaments in the graded organization of collagen fibrils in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon. J Anat 2012 Feb;220(2):156-63.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
