FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Res Vet Sci / In vitro mechanical properties of equine tendons in relation...
Research in veterinary science1985; 39(3); 263-270;

In vitro mechanical properties of equine tendons in relation to cross-sectional area and collagen content.

Abstract: The mechanical properties of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and the suspensory ligament (SL) of the hindlimb of the horse were studied in vitro. The tendons were observed at several morphologically distinct sites. The loaded tendon is homogeneously strained, in spite of large variations in cross-sectional area. Consequently the modulus of elasticity was inversely proportional to the corresponding cross-sectional area and ranged from 738 MPa (megaPascal, N mm-2) to 1398 MPa within the DDFT, from 1000 MPa to 1282 MPa within the SDFT and from 576 MPa to 669 MPa within the SL. The collagen content was inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area and proportional to the modulus of elasticity. This stresses the influence of tendon composition on the mechanical properties, and also demonstrates the difficulty in judging the strength of a particular tendon or site within a tendon from its cross-sectional area. The respective tendons ruptured at strains of 10.0 per cent (DDFT), 12.3 per cent (SDFT) and 11.0 per cent (SL). The influence of strain rate on the modulus of elasticity is small, and these tendons may therefore be considered as non-linear elastic structures. The average hysteresis is about 5 per cent.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1985-11-01 PubMed ID: 4081329
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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

The study investigates the mechanical properties of various tendons in a horse’s hindlimb. The research demonstrates that the elasticity and collagen content of the tendons are linked to their cross-sectional area, thereby affecting their strength.

Understanding the Research

The researchers studied three types of tendons within the hindlimb of a horse in vitro, meaning the study was carried out outside the living organism, in a controlled environment like a petri dish or lab setting. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), and the suspensory ligament (SL) were observed at different sites for their mechanical properties.

  • The study noted that although the cross-sectional area of the loaded tendons varied significantly, they were homogeneously strained, leading to the understanding that the modulus of elasticity (measure of tendon’s stiffness) was inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area.
  • The elasticity within each type of tendon varied; the DDFT ranged from 738 MPa to 1398 MPa, the SDFT from 1000 MPa to 1282 MPa, and the SL from 576 MPa to 669 MPa.
  • The collagen content, a critical component of tendons, was found to be inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area and directly proportional to the modulus of elasticity. Thus, the strength of a tendon or a particular part of it cannot be solely judged on its cross-sectional area. The tendon composition plays an influential role in determining its mechanical properties.
  • The strain rate, that is the degree of deformation a tendon goes through under stress, had minute influence on the modulus of elasticity. Therefore, these tendons were considered to display non-linear elastic behaviours. The respective tendons ruptured at strains of 10.0% (DDFT), 12.3% (SDFT), and 11.0% (SL).
  • Furthermore, the average hysteresis accounted for about 5% in the study. Hysteresis refers to the energy lost in the form of heat when stress is applied to the tendons.

Significance of the Findings

  • The research insights could serve as a foundation to develop strategies aimed at improving the durability and performance of these tendons in horses, which is especially valuable in situations where these animals are used for sports or heavy-duty tasks.
  • Understanding the correlation between the cross-sectional area, collagen content, and mechanical properties of a tendon could also contribute to medical advancements, especially in fields related to orthopedics, veterinary medicine and sports medicine.

Cite This Article

APA
Riemersma DJ, Schamhardt HC. (1985). In vitro mechanical properties of equine tendons in relation to cross-sectional area and collagen content. Res Vet Sci, 39(3), 263-270.

Publication

Research in veterinary science
ISSN: 0034-5288
NlmUniqueID: 0401300
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 3
Pages: 263-270

Researcher Affiliations

Riemersma, D J
    Schamhardt, H C

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Collagen / analysis
      • Elasticity
      • Hindlimb
      • Horses / physiology
      • In Vitro Techniques
      • Ligaments / analysis
      • Ligaments / anatomy & histology
      • Ligaments / physiology
      • Stress, Mechanical
      • Tendons / analysis
      • Tendons / anatomy & histology
      • Tendons / physiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 15 times.
      1. Wagner FC, Reese S, Gerlach K, Böttcher P, Mülling CKW. Cyclic tensile tests of Shetland pony superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs) with an optimized cryo-clamp combined with biplanar high-speed fluoroscopy. BMC Vet Res 2021 Jun 25;17(1):223.
        doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-02914-wpubmed: 34172051google scholar: lookup
      2. Symons J. Mechanical Effect of Performance Pressure Boots on Cadaveric Equine Hindlimb Fetlock Biomechanics. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 30;11(4).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11040958pubmed: 33808243google scholar: lookup
      3. Taboga P, Beck ON, Grabowski AM. Prosthetic shape, but not stiffness or height, affects the maximum speed of sprinters with bilateral transtibial amputations. PLoS One 2020;15(2):e0229035.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229035pubmed: 32078639google scholar: lookup
      4. Yeung CC, Schjerling P, Heinemeier KM, Boesen AP, Dideriksen K, Kjær M. Investigating circadian clock gene expression in human tendon biopsies from acute exercise and immobilization studies. Eur J Appl Physiol 2019 Jun;119(6):1387-1394.
        doi: 10.1007/s00421-019-04129-2pubmed: 30923873google scholar: lookup
      5. Scholze M, Singh A, Lozano PF, Ondruschka B, Ramezani M, Werner M, Hammer N. Utilization of 3D printing technology to facilitate and standardize soft tissue testing. Sci Rep 2018 Jul 27;8(1):11340.
        doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29583-4pubmed: 30054509google scholar: lookup
      6. Geburek F, Roggel F, van Schie HTM, Beineke A, Estrada R, Weber K, Hellige M, Rohn K, Jagodzinski M, Welke B, Hurschler C, Conrad S, Skutella T, van de Lest C, van Weeren R, Stadler PM. Effect of single intralesional treatment of surgically induced equine superficial digital flexor tendon core lesions with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: a controlled experimental trial. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017 Jun 5;8(1):129.
        doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0564-8pubmed: 28583184google scholar: lookup
      7. Hatazoe T, Endo Y, Iwamoto Y, Korosue K, Kuroda T, Inoue S, Murata D, Hobo S, Misumi K. A study of the distribution of color Doppler flows in the superficial digital flexor tendon of young Thoroughbreds during their training periods. J Equine Sci 2015;26(4):99-104.
        doi: 10.1294/jes.26.99pubmed: 26858574google scholar: lookup
      8. Peltonen J, Cronin NJ, Stenroth L, Finni T, Avela J. Viscoelastic properties of the Achilles tendon in vivo. Springerplus 2013 Dec;2(1):212.
        doi: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-212pubmed: 23710431google scholar: lookup
      9. Dakin SG, Dudhia J, Werling NJ, Werling D, Abayasekara DR, Smith RK. Inflamm-aging and arachadonic acid metabolite differences with stage of tendon disease. PLoS One 2012;7(11):e48978.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048978pubmed: 23155437google scholar: lookup
      10. Spaas JH, Guest DJ, Van de Walle GR. Tendon regeneration in human and equine athletes: Ubi Sumus-Quo Vadimus (where are we and where are we going to)?. Sports Med 2012 Oct 1;42(10):871-90.
        doi: 10.1007/BF03262300pubmed: 22963225google scholar: lookup
      11. Dias GJ, Peplow PV, Teixeira F. Osseous regeneration in the presence of oxidized cellulose and collagen. J Mater Sci Mater Med 2003 Sep;14(9):739-45.
        doi: 10.1023/a:1025076002948pubmed: 15348392google scholar: lookup
      12. Nakagawa Y, Hayashi K, Yamamoto N, Nagashima K. Age-related changes in biomechanical properties of the Achilles tendon in rabbits. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1996;73(1-2):7-10.
        doi: 10.1007/BF00262803pubmed: 8861663google scholar: lookup
      13. Hanousek K, Fiske-Jackson A, O'Leary L, Smith RKW. Injury to the palmar supporting structures of the fetlock alters limb stiffness and fetlock angle. Equine Vet J 2025 May;57(3):636-644.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.14409pubmed: 39219092google scholar: lookup
      14. Bossuyt FM, Leonard TR, Scott WM, Taylor WR, Herzog W. In-vivo and in-vitro environments affect the storage and release of energy in tendons. Front Physiol 2024;15:1443675.
        doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1443675pubmed: 39148742google scholar: lookup
      15. Davis ZG, Koch DW, Watson SL, Scull GM, Brown AC, Schnabel LV, Fisher MB. Controlled Stiffness of Direct-Write, Near-Field Electrospun Gelatin Fibers Generates Differences in Tenocyte Morphology and Gene Expression. J Biomech Eng 2024 Sep 1;146(9).
        doi: 10.1115/1.4065163pubmed: 38529730google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,383 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.