Tensile strength of precalcified turkey tendon

Abstract

The decrease in tensile strength of precalcified turkey tendon during the age period 9–12 weeks appears to be due to tendon growth. In the process, tendon cross-sectional area increases, but the percent hydroxyproline decreases and the load sustaining ability of the tendon remains essentially constant. These data indicate that the increase in cross-sectional area of the tendons may be due to preferential incorporation of other materials in the tendon, e.g., ground substance or cellular elements, rather than an increase in size and number of axially oriented stress bearing collagen fibers.