Influence of different exercise levels and age on the biochemical characteristics of immature equine articular cartilage.

This study aimed to examine whether biochemical characteristics of juvenile articular cartilage are changing during the first year post partum and whether they can be influenced by exercise at young age. Water, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), DNA, total collagen, hydroxylysine and hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP) content were measured in articular cartilage of 43 foals that were subdivided into 3 groups (n = 15, 14 and 14) which were subjected to different exercise regimens from one week after birth to age 5 months. At the age of 5 months all foals were weaned and 8 foals were selected randomly from each exercise group and subjected to euthanasia. The remaining foals (n = 19) were grouped and subjected to a similar exercise regimen for an additional 6 months. Differences were tested by student's t test (P<0.01). No effect of exercise on the water or DNA content was found. GAG content increased with increasing exercise in the 5 months group. These differences had disappeared after 6 months of similar exercise. No influence of exercise could be demonstrated on any of the collagen parameters. When comparing 5 months with 11 months group, all parameters except hydroxylysine changed significantly during these 6 months. Water, DNA and GAG content decreased during maturation. Collagen and HP content increased. It is hypothesised that juvenile equine articular cartilage may be seen as a dynamic, continuously remodelling tissue that is gradually taking on the biochemical characteristics it will have during the rest of the life of the animal. Moderate exercise does not influence the collagen component of the extracellular matrix. It has a beneficial, but reversible, effect on the glycosaminoglycan component.