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Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences1978; 203(1152); 293-303; doi: 10.1098/rspb.1978.0106

Tendon and ligament from the horse: an ultrastructural study of collagen fibrils and elastic fibres as a function of age.

Abstract: A study has been made of the ultrastructural organization of the collagen fibrils and elastic fibres in tendons and ligaments from horses of ages ranging from 2 months premature to 19 years. Diameter distributions of the collagen fibrils in the common digital extensor tendon, the superficial flexor tendon and the suspensory ligament are unimodal in the foetal tissue and at birth, and at these stages of development the three collagenous tissues are virtually indistinguishable. However, at maturity, the ligament and flexor tendon have bimodal distributions similar to that found for rat-tail tendon. The fibril distribution for extensor tendon remains unimodal until the onset of maturity, beyond which the distribution becomes bimodal. Fibril diameter distributions for ligament, extensor and flexor tendon at old age are, as at birth, virtually identical. An estimate has been made of fibrillar collagen content in the three tissues as a function of age. As with rat-tail tendon, the collagen content increases steadily from birth to maturity, at which stage the content remains fairly constant though it does drop slowly with increasing age. The presence of well developed elastic tissue in foetal and immature tendon and ligament shows that the development of the elastic fibres does not parallel the development of the collagen fibrils. In diseased tissues from a 3 year suspensory ligament and an 8.5 year superficial flexor tendon only immature elastic fibres have been observed. Furthermore, since the collagen fibril diameter distributions in these specimens show a marked change from the norm, it would be expected that the mechanical properties of these tissues would be altered significantly.
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Publication Date: 1978-12-18 PubMed ID: 33394DOI: 10.1098/rspb.1978.0106Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 research examines the interaction of collagen fibrils and elastic fibers in the tendons and ligaments of horses at various age stages to understand the changes occurring over time. The discovery suggested notable differences in the collagen composition at different ages suggesting that the elasticity and mechanical properties of these tissues significantly alter over time.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to investigate the ultrastructural organization of collagen fibrils and elastic fibres in horse tendons and ligaments ranging from a 2-month premature to 19 years old horse.
  • The researchers analyzed diameter distributions of collagen fibrils in various tendons and ligaments including common digital extensor tendon, superficial flexor tendon, and the suspensory ligament. The fibrillar collagen content in the tissues was estimated as a function of age.

Results and Findings

  • The results showed that collagen fibril diameter distributions in the analyzed tendons and ligaments are unimodal in the foetal tissue and at birth. The three collagenous tissues studied can hardly be differentiated at these developmental stages. However, at maturity, the ligament and flexor tendon show bimodal distributions, as is seen in rat-tail tendon.
  • The extensor tendon remains unimodal until the onset of maturity, after which the distribution becomes bimodal. The distribution of collagen fibril diameters in old age is similar to that at birth in all three tissues.
  • The study also revealed that collagen content increases steadily from birth to maturity and thereafter remains relatively stable, albeit with a slight decrease as age progresses.
  • The presence of mature elastic tissue in foetal and immature tendons and ligaments indicates that the development of elastic fibers does not follow the same trajectory as that of collagen fibrils. Immature elastic fibers were observed in diseased tissues.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Through the study of collagen fibril diameter distributions, the researchers uncovered significant changes in the mechanical properties of tendons and ligaments over time. These findings carry important implications for understanding and potentially treating tendon and ligament-related disorders in horses.
  • Moreover, the results highlight the importance of collagen and elasticity in the function and health of tendons and ligaments, providing a pathway to future studies on how to improve their health, especially in older horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Parry DA, Craig AS, Barnes GR. (1978). Tendon and ligament from the horse: an ultrastructural study of collagen fibrils and elastic fibres as a function of age. Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 203(1152), 293-303. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1978.0106

Publication

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences
ISSN: 0950-1193
NlmUniqueID: 7505889
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 203
Issue: 1152
Pages: 293-303

Researcher Affiliations

Parry, D A
    Craig, A S
      Barnes, G R

        MeSH Terms

        • Aging
        • Animals
        • Collagen / physiology
        • Collagen Diseases / pathology
        • Collagen Diseases / veterinary
        • Elastin / physiology
        • Forelimb
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Ligaments, Articular / ultrastructure
        • Tendons / ultrastructure

        Citations

        This article has been cited 28 times.
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