Mechanical properties, collagen and glycosaminoglycan content of equine superficial digital flexor tendons are not affected by training

Ching Yan Chloé Yeung*, René B. Svensson, Nikoline M.B. Mogensen, Max F.R. Merkel, Peter Schjerling, Anja Jokipii-Utzon, Cheng Zhang, Helena Carstensen, Rikke Buhl, Michael Kjaer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Physical activity can activate extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis and influence the size and mechanical properties of tendon. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether different training histories of horses would influence the synthesis of collagen and other matrix proteins and alter the mechanical properties of tendon. Samples from superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) from horses that were either (a) currently race trained (n = 5), (b) previously race trained (n = 5) or (c) untrained (n = 4) were analysed for matrix protein abundance (mass spectrometry), collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, ECM gene expression and mechanical properties. It was found that ECM synthesis by tendon fibroblasts in vitro varied depending upon the previous training history. In contrast, fascicle morphology, collagen and GAG content, mechanical properties and ECM gene expression of the tendon did not reveal any significant differences between groups. In conclusion, although we could not identify any direct impact of the physical training history on the mechanical properties or major ECM components of the tendon, it is evident that horse tendon cells are responsive to loading in vivo, and the training background may lead to a modification in the composition of newly synthesised matrix.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Anatomy
ISSN0021-8782
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Anatomical Society.

Keywords

  • collagen
  • extracellular matrix
  • mechanical properties
  • physical training
  • tendon

Cite this