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Effect of maturation and aging on the histomorphometric and biochemical characteristics of equine superficial digital flexor tendon.
Abstract: To assess tendon morphology and non-reducible crosslink concentration, and associations of these findings with horse age and previously reported mechanical and ultrasonographic findings. Methods: Superficial digital flexor tendon samples were obtained from 23 horses aged 2 to 23 years. The tendons had undergone ultrasonography and were submitted to biomechanical testing in the physiologic range prior to sample acquisition. Methods: Samples were sectioned in a transverse plane; then dorsal, palmar, central, lateral, and medial regions were evaluated for fascicle cross-sectional area (CSA), septal width, and vessel density (the product of vessel numbers and vessel CSA per field). Contiguous samples were analyzed for collagen crosslinking. Results: Central fascicles were significantly larger than fascicles in other tendon regions. Fascicle CSA decreased significantly with increasing age. Because total tendon CSA is unrelated to increasing age, fascicle numbers appeared to increase with increasing age. Regional or age effects on septal width were not found. There was no age or regional effect on vessel numbers, density, or fractional area. Fascicle CSA was positively correlated with total tendon CSA; fascicle CSA was negatively correlated with elastic modulus. Hydroxypiridinium concentration tended to increase with increasing horse age; this effect was associated with a positive correlation between hydroxypiridinium values and elastic modulus. Conclusions: Equine superficial digital flexor tendon undergoes an increase in structural organization and an increase in nonreducible crosslinks with maturation and aging. These changes are associated with an increase in elastic modulus.
Publication Date: 1997-04-01 PubMed ID: 9099392 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
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on studying the morphological and biochemical aspects of equine superficial digital flexor tendons as they mature and age. The study identifies changes in features like fascicle cross-sectional area, septal width, and vessel density and their association with the horse’s age. Further, it was noted that with maturation and aging, the tendon undergoes structural changes and sees an increased concentration of nonreducible crosslinks, impacting the tendon’s elasticity.
Methods
- The study involved superficial digital flexor tendon samples from 23 horses ranging from 2 to 23 years old.
- Prior to sample collection, all the tendons were subjected to ultrasonography and biomechanical testing within the physiological range.
- Samples were transversely cut and different regions like dorsal, palmar, central, lateral, and medial were evaluated for their regional features like fascicle cross-sectional area, septal width, and vessel density.
- Adjacent samples were used to analyze collagen crosslinking.
Results
- The study found that central fascicles were significantly larger than fascicles in other tendon regions.
- It was noted that fascicle cross-sectional area significantly reduced with increasing horse age. However, the number of fascicles appeared to increase with age as total tendon cross-sectional area remained unaffected with age.
- No discernible effects due to region or age were found on septal width.
- Similarly, there were no effects due to age or region on vessel numbers, density, or fractional area.
- Positive correlation was observed between fascicle cross-sectional area and total tendon cross-sectional area, while a negative correlation was found between fascicle cross-sectional area and elastic modulus.
- Hydroxypyridinium concentration, a collagen crosslink, seemed to increase with horse age, and this increase was linked to a positive correlation with the elastic modulus of the tendon.
Conclusion
- The research concludes that as the equine superficial digital flexor tendon matures and ages, it sees an increase in structural organization and non-reducible crosslinks.
- These structural and biochemical changes correlate with an increased elastic modulus, indicating the tendon’s response to maturation and aging processes.
Cite This Article
APA
Gillis C, Pool RR, Meagher DM, Stover SM, Reiser K, Willits N.
(1997).
Effect of maturation and aging on the histomorphometric and biochemical characteristics of equine superficial digital flexor tendon.
Am J Vet Res, 58(4), 425-430.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / metabolism
- Aging / physiology
- Amino Acids / analysis
- Amino Acids / metabolism
- Animals
- Blood Vessels / cytology
- Collagen / analysis
- Collagen / metabolism
- Female
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / metabolism
- Male
- Tendons / blood supply
- Tendons / chemistry
- Tendons / cytology
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Ultrasonography / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Siadat SM, Zamboulis DE, Thorpe CT, Ruberti JW, Connizzo BK. Tendon Extracellular Matrix Assembly, Maintenance and Dysregulation Throughout Life. Adv Exp Med Biol 2021;1348:45-103.
- Riasat K, Bardell D, Goljanek-Whysall K, Clegg PD, Peffers MJ. Epigenetic mechanisms in Tendon Ageing. Br Med Bull 2020 Oct 14;135(1):90-107.
- Lui PPY, Wong CM. Biology of Tendon Stem Cells and Tendon in Aging. Front Genet 2019;10:1338.
- Seiler TG, Shao P, Eltony A, Seiler T, Yun SH. Brillouin Spectroscopy of Normal and Keratoconus Corneas. Am J Ophthalmol 2019 Jun;202:118-125.
- Spinella G, Britti D, Loprete G, Musella V, Romagnoli N, Vilar JM, Valentini S. Relative Echogenicity of Tendons and Ligaments of the Palmar Metacarpal Region in Foals from Birth to 4 Months of Age: A Longitudinal Study. PLoS One 2016;11(7):e0159953.
- Kavaguchi De Grandis A, Boulocher C, Viguier E, Roger T, Sawaya S. Ultrasonograph and clinical quantitative characterization of tendinopathy by modified splitting in a goat model. ScientificWorldJournal 2012;2012:472023.
- 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.
- Legerlotz K, Riley GP, Screen HR. Specimen dimensions influence the measurement of material properties in tendon fascicles. J Biomech 2010 Aug 26;43(12):2274-80.
- Narici MV, Maganaris CN. Adaptability of elderly human muscles and tendons to increased loading. J Anat 2006 Apr;208(4):433-43.
- Iwasaki N, Llewellyn J, Brown J, Zamboulis DE, Finding EJT, Wheeler-Jones CPD, Thorpe CT. Immunolabelling and Micro-Computed Tomography Revealed Age-Related Alterations in 3D Microvasculature of Tendons. Aging Cell 2026 Jan;25(1):e70293.
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