Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2024; 37(05): S111-S142
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1791306
Podium Abstracts

Thoroughbred Racehorse Athletic Training History Influences SDFT Interfascicular Matrix Elastin and Tensile Mechanical Properties

S. Durgam
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Ohio, United States
,
S. Seabeck
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Ohio, United States
,
C. Moreno
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Ohio, United States
,
S. Long
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Ohio, United States
,
M. Samol
2   CA Animal Health and Food Safety Board, University of California, Davis, California, United States
,
T. Garcia-Nolen
3   Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California, United States
,
F. Uzal
2   CA Animal Health and Food Safety Board, University of California, Davis, California, United States
,
S. Stover
3   Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, California, United States
› Author Affiliations
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    Abstract

    Introduction: Equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) comprises of longitudinally aligned type 1 collagen fibers bundled as fascicles and are interspersed by elastin-rich interfascicular matrix (IFM). This research investigated IFM elastin area fraction (AF), and whole tendon, fascicle, IFM tensile yield properties in response to Thoroughbred (THB) racehorse age and athletic training history.

    Materials and Methods: Fascicle and IFM subunits were dissected from the mid-metacarpal (n = 50) SDFT of 2-, 3-, 4-yo THB racehorses necropsied through CAHFS (preserved within 48 hours death/euthanasia). Cryopreserved longitudinal and transverse histological sections were used for elastin immunofluorescence-based AF and fascicle CSA and IFM thickness measurements, respectively. Total tendon elastin (FASTINTM) was biochemically quantified. A mixed-model ANOVA and univariate linear regression tests were used to analyze data (p < 0.05).

    Results: Whole tendon and IFM yield strain increased as total SDFT elastin content (r 0.580) and IFM elastin AF (r 0.497) increased. A significant association between age (r −0.585), mean layup time (r −0.647), whole tendon and IFM yield strain were observed. Data suggests that SDFT IFM tensile properties exhibit functional adaptation to athletic training, whereas fascicles tensile properties were largely unaffected.

    Discussion/Conclusion: Evaluating cyclical and ultimate tensile properties will further clarify if athletic training positively impacts IFM elasticity. Delineating SDFT adaptation at the whole tendon and the constituent hierarchical subunits in response to age and athletic training is vital to determine the injury mechanisms of equine SDFT, a common career-ending injury in THB racehorses.

    Acknowledgements: This research was funded by Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation.


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    No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

    Publication History

    Article published online:
    16 September 2024

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