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Equine veterinary journal2000; 32(3); 217-221; doi: 10.2746/042516400776563626

Functional adaptation of equine articular cartilage: the formation of regional biochemical characteristics up to age one year.

Abstract: Biochemical heterogeneity of cartilage within a joint is well known in mature individuals. It has recently been reported that heterogeneity for proteoglycan content and chondrocyte metabolism in sheep develops postnatally under the influence of loading. No data exist on the collagen network in general or on the specific situation in the horse. The objective of this study was to investigate the alterations in equine articular cartilage biochemistry that occur from birth up to age one year, testing the hypothesis that the molecular composition of equine cartilage matrix is uniform at birth and biochemical heterogeneity is formed postnatally. Water content, DNA content, glycosaminoglycan content (GAG) and biochemical characteristics of the collagen network (collagen content, hydroxylysine content and hydroxylysylpyridinoline [HP] crosslinks) were measured in immature articular cartilage of neonatal (n = 16), 5-month-old foals (n = 16) and yearlings (n = 16) at 2 predefined differently loaded sites within the metacarpophalangeal joint. Statistical differences between sites were analysed by ANOVA (P<0.01), and age correlation was tested by Pearson's product moment correlation analysis (P<0.01). In neonatal cartilage no significant site differences were found for any of the measured biochemical parameters. This revealed that the horse has a biochemically uniform joint (i.e. the cartilage) at birth. In the 5-month-old foals and yearlings, significant site differences, comparable to those in the mature horse, were found for DNA, GAG, collagen content and hydroxylysine content. This indicates that functional adaptation of articular cartilage to weight bearing for these biochemical parameters takes place during the first months postpartum. Water content and HP crosslinks showed no difference between the 2 sites from neonatal horses, 5-month-old animals and yearlings. At both sites water, DNA and GAG decreased during maturation while collagen content, hydroxylysine content and HP crosslinks increased. We propose that a foal is born with a uniform biochemical composition of cartilage in which the functional adaptation to weight bearing takes place early in life. This adaptation results in biochemical and therefore biomechanical heterogeneity and is thought to be essential to resist the different loading conditions to which articular cartilage is subjected during later life. As collagen turnover is extremely low at mature age, an undisturbed functional adaptation of the collagen network of articular cartilage at a young age may be of significant importance for future strength and resistance to injury.
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Publication Date: 2000-06-03 PubMed ID: 10836476DOI: 10.2746/042516400776563626Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates changes in the biochemical composition of equine cartilage from birth to one year old, suggesting that foals are born with uniform cartilage that adapts and diversifies its composition under pressure as they grow.

Objective of the Research

This research aimed to study changes in the molecular composition of equine articular cartilage (connective tissue in joints) from birth until one year. The hypothesis proposed that this cartilage is biochemically uniform at birth and develops differing biochemical qualities as the animal matures.

Methodology

  • The study used the articular cartilage of 16 neonatal, 16 5-month-old foals, and 16 yearlings (horse at one year).
  • Water, DNA, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content were measured. Additional metrics included collagen content, hydroxylysine content, and hydroxylysylpyridinoline crosslinks (responsible for the stability of collagen).
  • This data measurement was conducted on two predefined differently loaded sites within the metacarpophalangeal joint (where the leg-bone of a horse connects to its foot’s bones).
  • Any statistical differences were tested using ANOVA and Pearson’s product-moment correlation analysis.

Findings

  • At birth, no significant differences were found between the jointly sites for any of the measured biochemical parameters. This indicates that a horse has a biochemically uniform joint at birth.
  • In 5-month-old foals and yearlings, significant site differences, comparable to those in adult horses, were found for DNA, GAG, collagen, and hydroxylysine content. The finding suggests that the functional adaptation of articular cartilage to weight bearing for these biochemical parameters takes place during the first months after birth.
  • No significant site difference in water content and hydroxylysylpyridinoline crosslinks was found. It was observed that at both sites these parameters along with DNA and GAG decreased during maturation while collagen content, hydroxylysine content and hydroxylysylpyridinoline crosslinks increased.

Implications

The research indicates that a foal is born with a uniform biochemical composition of cartilage, which adapts functionally to weight-bearing during early life. The emerging heterogeneity in biochemistry, and thus biomechanics, might be essential for resisting varying loading conditions that articular cartilage experiences later in life. Since collagen turnover is extremely low at a mature age, a proper functional adaptation of collagen network at a young age might be significantly important for future strength and resistance to injury.

Cite This Article

APA
Brama PA, Tekoppele JM, Bank RA, Barneveld A, van Weeren PR. (2000). Functional adaptation of equine articular cartilage: the formation of regional biochemical characteristics up to age one year. Equine Vet J, 32(3), 217-221. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516400776563626

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: 3
Pages: 217-221

Researcher Affiliations

Brama, P A
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Tekoppele, J M
    Bank, R A
      Barneveld, A
        van Weeren, P R

          MeSH Terms

          • Age Factors
          • Amino Acids / analysis
          • Animals
          • Animals, Newborn
          • Bisbenzimidazole / chemistry
          • Cartilage, Articular / chemistry
          • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / veterinary
          • Collagen / analysis
          • DNA / analysis
          • Glycosaminoglycans / analysis
          • Horses / physiology
          • Hydroxylysine / analysis
          • Hydroxyproline / analysis
          • Joints / chemistry
          • Joints / physiology
          • Methylene Blue / analogs & derivatives
          • Methylene Blue / chemistry
          • Statistics, Nonparametric
          • Water / analysis

          Citations

          This article has been cited 30 times.
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