J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lawrence, L. A.
Right arrow Articles by Asquith, R. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Lawrence, L. A.
Right arrow Articles by Asquith, R. L.

Journal of Animal Science, Vol 72, Issue 10 2617-2623, Copyright © 1994 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

The mechanical properties of equine third metacarpals as affected by age

L. A. Lawrence, E. A. Ott, G. J. Miller, P. W. Poulos, G. Piotrowski and R. L. Asquith
Department of Animal Science, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.

Twenty-five pairs of equine third metacarpals (McIII) were collected from horses of varying breeds and ranging in age from 1 d to 27 yr. Standard three-point bending tests were performed on the McIII to obtain comparative data on breaking load (BL), breaking strength (BS), and elasticity (E). Broken bones were reassembled and 2-cm sections cut from the bone 1 cm below the nutrient foramen and at the site of the break. Bone mineral content (BMC) and geometrical properties of these sections were determined. Maximum BMC (17.3 g/2 cm) was reached at 6.0 +/- 1.8 yr of age. Horses in this study achieved 76% of maximum BMC by 1 yr of age. Maximum BL (1,888 kg) was reached at 4.6 +/- 1.8 yr of age. The coefficient of determination (r2) between BMC and BL was .92 (P < .001). Breaking strength peaked at 2,272 kg/cm2 at 6.3 +/- 1.2 yr of age. The correlation between BS and BMC was .84 (P < .0001). At 1 yr of age BS was 1,919 kg/cm2, or 85% of maximum BS. Elasticity increased linearly with log 10 age (r2 = .91). The r2 of BMC and E was .79 (P < .001). Area moment of inertia (I) of the cortex of the bone was best approximated by the area of an ellipse (r2 = .91; P < .01). Results suggest that bone strength in horses peaks after most race horses have completed their careers.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
K. M. Hiney, B. D. Nielsen, and D. Rosenstein
Short-duration exercise and confinement alters bone mineral content and shape in weanling horses
J Anim Sci, August 1, 2004; 82(8): 2313 - 2320.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
K. M. Hiney, B. D. Nielsen, D. Rosenstein, M. W. Orth, and B. P. Marks
High-intensity exercise of short duration alters bovine bone density and shape
J Anim Sci, June 1, 2004; 82(6): 1612 - 1620.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1994 by the American Society of Animal Science.