Paulo Salinas; Saúl A. Figueroa Vergara & Rodrigo Bañados Fernández

Summary

The functional significance of any relationship exists between the orientation of the collagen fibers and the strain on a bone structure depend on the influence of these microstructural parameters on the biomechanical properties of bone and its ability to adapt. Localization of collagen was studied in the distal sesamoid bone (DSB) in in equine foot with Navicular Syndrome to see how this reflects the biomechanical demands by the tension exerted by the tendon of the deep digital flexor muscle on the joint distal interphalangeal. Hematoxylin-eosin-alcian blue staining, and Red Picrosirius of Junqueira were used. The birefringence of bone collagen was determined using polarized light microscopy. The remodeling of DSB resulted in the formation of transverse secondary osteons oriented lateral to medial and bone collagen was oriented in similar direction. These results provide evidence for the existence of a relationship between the mechanical function of a bone with the architecture, and shows further that this extends up to the molecular level.

KEY WORDS: Equine; Navicular syndrome; Distal sesamoid bone; Collagen; Picrosirius red.

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