The effect of age and spontaneous exercise on the biomechanical and biochemical properties of chicken superficial digital flexor tendon

The aim of this study was to evaluate if spontaneous (nonforced active) exercise and age (maturation process) alter the biomechanical and biochemical properties of superficial digital flexor tendon. Chickens aged 1, 5, and 8 months were divided into two groups: caged and penned. The caged group was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Connective tissue research 2010-08, Vol.51 (4), p.265-273
Main Authors: Romero Nakagaki, Wilson, Rosa Pimentel, Edson, Pereira Benevides, Gustavo, Gomes, Laurecir
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
age
Aging - physiology
Analysis of Variance
Animals
Biomechanical Phenomena
biomechanics
chickens
Chickens - physiology
exercise
Forelimb
Glycosaminoglycans - metabolism
Hydroxyproline - metabolism
Physical Conditioning, Animal
tendon
Tendons - anatomy & histology
Tendons - physiology
Toes - physiology
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Summary:The aim of this study was to evaluate if spontaneous (nonforced active) exercise and age (maturation process) alter the biomechanical and biochemical properties of superficial digital flexor tendon. Chickens aged 1, 5, and 8 months were divided into two groups: caged and penned. The caged group was reared in an area of 0.5 m2 (3 animals cage), while the penned group was reared in an area of 60 m2 (3 animals area). For biochemical analysis, the tendon was divided into tensile and compressive regions for quantification of hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycan content. Biomechanical properties were analyzed from tensile tests of intact tendons. The biomechanical measurements were taken at maximum load and maximum stress. In both the caged and penned groups, maximum load and energy absorption increased with maturation; however, the elastic modulus, maximum stress, and maximum strain did not increase with maturation. Exercise resulted in a higher load, stress, and elastic modulus in the fifth month. Collagen content increased with age in the penned group and with exercise in the fifth and eighth months. Exercise results in a higher expression of glycosaminoglycans in young tendons compared to mature tendons. Thus, low-intensity mechanical stimuli promote the synthesis and possible rearrangement of molecules in immature tendons, whereas inactivity leads to deleterious effects on the material properties (maximum stress and elastic modulus) during growth and maturation.
ISSN:0300-8207
1607-8438
DOI:10.3109/03008200903318279