De biochemische samenstelling van de tendo interosseus in het voorbeen van het paard

Abstract

Reasons for performing the study: Injury to the suspensory ligament is very common in equine athletes. The site of tendon injury differs, the suspensory ligament can be injured in the proximal or in the middle part, as well as in the branches. A possible explanation could be that the biochemical composition varies at different sites, as it is in the superficial digital flexor tendon (Lin 2005). Hypothesis: The biochemical composition of the equine interosseus tendon in the front limb is different at different anatomical locations. Furthermore it was hypothesized that the composition of the suspensory ligament is related to age. Methods: Within 4 hours after death, samples of the suspensory ligament interosseus were collected at 6 anatomical locations of the right front limb of 20 Warmblood slaughter horses (age: 12,5 ± 7,5 years). The suspensory ligament had no macroscopical no signs of any present or previous tendon injury. Results: The biochemical composition of the interosseus tendon variesd at different sites. The water percentage, the amount of DNA, glycosaminoglycans, collagen and cross-links were significant different (P<0,05). There was no relation between age and the biochemical composition. Potential relevance: Further investigation of the biomechanical properties of the interosseus tendon is necessary to develop prevention and treatment management for interosseus tendon injuries.