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Effects of training on collagen fibril populations in the suspensory ligament and deep digital flexor tendon of young thoroughbreds.
Abstract: To determine the effect of a specific galloping exercise regimen on collagen fibril mass-average diameters (MAD) in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) of young Thoroughbreds. Methods: 12 Thoroughbred fillies, 21 +/- 1 (mean +/- SD) months old. Methods: 6 horses underwent a specific 18-month treadmill training program involving galloping exercise. The remaining 6 horses served as controls, undertaking low-volume walking exercise over the same period. Sections were excised from the midpoint of the DDFT and SL, and small strips were dissected from central and peripheral locations for each structure. Fibril diameters were measured from micrographs of transverse ultrathin sections, using a computerized image analysis program. An MAD value was calculated for the central and peripheral regions of the DDFT and SL for each horse. Values for both regions were compared between exercised and control horses. Results: The MAD did not change significantly with exercise for either the DDFT or the SL. Conclusions: Loading of the DDFT as a result of this exercise regimen was not sufficient to stimulate collagen fibril hypertrophy, in keeping with current data that indicate this tendon, compared with the SL and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), is subjected to low loads. Microtrauma, in terms of reduction in fibril MAD, may have occurred in the SL at a site different from that sampled. Another possibility is that, between the trot and the gallop, loading of the SL does not increase to the same extent as that of the SDFT.
Publication Date: 1998-01-27 PubMed ID: 9442247 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 investigates the effects of a specific galloping exercise routine on collagen fibril diameter in the tendons and ligaments of young thoroughbred horses. The study found that the exercise did not cause significant changes in the collagen fibril size, suggesting this particular tendon and ligament are subject to low loads.
Methodology
- The study involved 12 thoroughbreds, specifically fillies, around 21 months old. The horses were divided into two groups: one underwent a specific 18-month treadmill training program involving galloping exercise, while the other group performed low-volume walking exercise and served as controls.
- The researchers excised sections from the midpoint of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL), dissecting small strips from central and peripheral locations of each structure.
- To measure fibril diameters, the researchers analyzed micrographs of transverse ultrathin sections using a computerized image analysis program. From these measurements, an average diameter (MAD) value was calculated for central and peripheral regions of the DDFT and SL for each horse.
- The MAD values for both areas were compared between the group that underwent galloping exercise regimen and the control groups.
Results
- The study found that the specific galloping exercise regimen did not cause significant changes in the MAD of collagen fibrils in either the DDFT or the SL. This suggests that the loading of the DDFT as a result of this specific exercise routine was not enough to stimulate the growth of collagen fibrils.
Conclusion and Further Possibilities
- Consequently, the paper suggests that the particular tendon and ligament are likely subject to low loads. A possibility of microtrauma, in terms of reduction in fibril MAD, could have happened in the SL, but at a different site than the one sampled.
- Another hypothesis is that between the trot and the gallop, the loading of the SL does not increase to the same extent as that of a different tendon, the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT).
Cite This Article
APA
Patterson-Kane JC, Firth EC, Parry DA, Wilson AM, Goodship AE.
(1998).
Effects of training on collagen fibril populations in the suspensory ligament and deep digital flexor tendon of young thoroughbreds.
Am J Vet Res, 59(1), 64-68.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Collagen / analysis
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Ligaments / ultrastructure
- Microscopy, Electron
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Running
- Tendons / ultrastructure
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Barnes TS, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Bishop EL, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Survival Analysis of Training Methodologies and Other Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injury in 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:698298.
- Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Bishop EL, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. A Prospective Study of Training Methods for Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia, and Analysis of the Differences in Training Methods between Trainers of Varying Stable Sizes. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 25;11(4).
- Crawford KL, Finnane A, Phillips CJC, Greer RM, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Kidd LJ, Ahern BJ. The Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Queensland, Australia: How These Vary for Two-Year-Old and Older Horses and with Type of Injury. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 21;11(2).
- Crawford KL, Finnane A, Greer RM, Phillips CJC, Woldeyohannes SM, Perkins NR, Ahern BJ. Appraising the Welfare of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Training in Queensland, Australia: The Incidence and Type of Musculoskeletal Injuries Vary between Two-Year-Old and Older Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 5;10(11).
- Dyment NA, Barrett JG, Awad HA, Bautista CA, Banes AJ, Butler DL. A brief history of tendon and ligament bioreactors: Impact and future prospects. J Orthop Res 2020 Nov;38(11):2318-2330.
- 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.
- Magnusson SP, Kjaer M. The impact of loading, unloading, ageing and injury on the human tendon. J Physiol 2019 Mar;597(5):1283-1298.
- Jeong C, Kim SE, Shim KS, Kim HJ, Song MH, Park K, Song HR. Exploring the In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Actions of Simvastatin-Loaded Porous Microspheres on Inflamed Tenocytes in a Collagenase-Induced Animal Model of Achilles Tendinitis. Int J Mol Sci 2018 Mar 12;19(3).
- Boesen AP, Dideriksen K, Couppé C, Magnusson SP, Schjerling P, Boesen M, Kjaer M, Langberg H. Tendon and skeletal muscle matrix gene expression and functional responses to immobilisation and rehabilitation in young males: effect of growth hormone administration. J Physiol 2013 Dec 1;591(23):6039-52.
- Firth EC. The response of bone, articular cartilage and tendon to exercise in the horse. J Anat 2006 Apr;208(4):513-26.
- Langberg H, Rosendal L, Kjaer M. Training-induced changes in peritendinous type I collagen turnover determined by microdialysis in humans. J Physiol 2001 Jul 1;534(Pt 1):297-302.
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