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Decrease in the numbers of mechanoreceptors in rabbit ACL: the effects of ageing

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

It is proposed that there is a positive correlation between the numbers of mechanoreceptors and proprioceptive function. On the other hand, normal aging process is associated with deficits in proprioception. This study is designed to test the hypothesis that aging resulted in decreased numbers of mechanoreceptors. Anterior cruciate ligaments of 14 male rabbits (2 months, n=5; 12 months, n=4 and 60 months, n=5) were extracted and the total numbers of Ruffini, Pacini and Golgi tendon-like receptors were accounted. As a result, the numbers of mechanoreceptors, especially Ruffini receptors, decreased with aging (p<0.05). Increased age was associated with changes in the morphology of mechanoreceptors. In conclusion, aging results in both diminished numbers and changed morphology of mechanoreceptors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

    Sedat Tolga Aydoğ, Mahmut Nedim Doral, Onur Tetik & Haydar Ali Demirel

  2. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Petek Korkusuz

  3. Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Mahmut Nedim Doral

Authors
  1. Sedat Tolga Aydoğ
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  2. Petek Korkusuz
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  3. Mahmut Nedim Doral
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  4. Onur Tetik
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  5. Haydar Ali Demirel
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Correspondence to Sedat Tolga Aydoğ.

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Aydoğ, S.T., Korkusuz, P., Doral, M.N. et al. Decrease in the numbers of mechanoreceptors in rabbit ACL: the effects of ageing. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 14, 325–329 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-005-0673-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-005-0673-2

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