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Journal of biomechanics1996; 29(12); 1515-1521;

Collagen fiber organization is related to mechanical properties and remodeling in equine bone. A comparison of two methods.

Abstract: We studied birefringence as an indicator of collagen fiber orientation in the diaphysis of the equine third metacarpal bone. We had previously shown that tissue from the lateral cortex of this bone is stronger monotonically, but less fatigue resistant, than tissue from the medial and dorsal regions. To learn whether collagen fiber orientation might play a role in this regional specialization, we tested three hypotheses using the same specimens: (1) collagen fiber orientation is regionally dependent; (2) remodeling changes collagen fiber orientation; (3) longitudinal collagen fibers correlate positively with modulus and monotonic bending strength and negatively with flexural fatigue life. Beams (N = 36) cut parallel to the long axes of six pairs of bones had been tested to determine elastic modulus (N = 36), and fatigue life (N= 24) or monotonic strength (N = 12) in four-point bending. Subsequently, histologic cross-sections were prepared, and porosity, active remodeling and past remodeling were quantified. Birefringence was measured as an indicator of transverse collagen orientation using plane-polarized light (PPL), and again using circularly polarized light (CPL). The CPL measurement was less variable than the PPL measurement. Both birefringence measures indicated that collagen was more longitudinally oriented in the lateral cortex than in the other two cortices. Longitudinally disposed collagen correlated with greater modulus and monotonic strength, but did not correlate with fatigue life. Remodeling was associated with more transverse collagen. Neither measure of birefringence was significantly correlated with porosity. It was concluded that, in the equine cannon bone, longitudinal collage fiber orientation is regionally variable, contributes to increased modulus and strength but not fatigue life, and is reduced by osteonal remodeling.
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Publication Date: 1996-12-01 PubMed ID: 8945649
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

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 research explores the relationship between the organization of collagen fibers and various mechanical properties and remodeling activities in the equine third metacarpal bone. The study found that the orientation of collagen fibers varies according to region, influences the bone’s strength and elasticity but not its fatigue life and becomes disturbed during the process of bone remodeling.

Research Overview

  • The study revolved around the examination of the birefringence – a light refraction property indicating collagen fiber orientation – in the diaphysis (shaft) of equine third metacarpal bones, often known as cannon bones.
  • The research was built on prior findings stating that tissue from the lateral cortex of the bone (the outer layer) is stronger than tissue from the medial and dorsal regions.
  • The primary objective was to investigate if collagen fiber orientation had a part to play in this regional specialization.

Hypotheses and Methodology

  • Three hypotheses were developed for testing: regional dependence of collagen fiber orientation, the role of remodeling in changing collagen fiber orientation, and the correlation of longitudinal collagen fibers with various aspects of bone strength and resilience.
  • To test these, beams cut from pairs of bones had their elasticity, fatigue life, or strength tested, followed by histologic cross-sections to measure porosity and remodeling.
  • Birefringence was employed as an indicator of collagen orientation, measured twice: once using plane-polarized light (PPL) and then with circularly polarized light (CPL). CPL measurements were found to be less variable than PPL ones.

Key Findings

  • The study found that collagen was more longitudinally (vertically) oriented in the lateral cortex than other parts of the bone, a factor positively correlating with higher modulus (elasticity) and monotonic strength (ability to withstand loads without breaking).
  • Interestingly, this correlation with longitudinal collagen did not hold true for “fatigue life”, a measure of how many times a bone can undergo stress before it fails.
  • During the process of bone remodeling, there was a shift towards more transverse (horizontal) collagen, altering the initial fiber orientation. This, however, did not correlate with the bones’ porosity (the presence of pores within the bone structure).

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that in the equine cannon bone, the orientation of collagen fibers varies according to its region, influences its elasticity and strength but not its fatigue life, and gets disrupted during osteonal remodeling.

Cite This Article

APA
Martin RB, Lau ST, Mathews PV, Gibson VA, Stover SM. (1996). Collagen fiber organization is related to mechanical properties and remodeling in equine bone. A comparison of two methods. J Biomech, 29(12), 1515-1521.

Publication

Journal of biomechanics
ISSN: 0021-9290
NlmUniqueID: 0157375
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 12
Pages: 1515-1521

Researcher Affiliations

Martin, R B
  • Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis 95616, USA. rbmartin@ucdavis.edu
Lau, S T
    Mathews, P V
      Gibson, V A
        Stover, S M

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Bone Remodeling / physiology
          • Bone and Bones / physiology
          • Bone and Bones / ultrastructure
          • Collagen / physiology
          • Collagen / ultrastructure
          • Elasticity
          • Fractures, Stress / physiopathology
          • Haversian System / physiology
          • Haversian System / ultrastructure
          • Horses
          • Metacarpus / physiology
          • Metacarpus / ultrastructure
          • Microscopy, Polarization / methods
          • Pliability
          • Porosity
          • Stress, Mechanical

          Grant Funding

          • AR41644 / NIAMS NIH HHS

          Citations

          This article has been cited 20 times.
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