title: Decrease in the numbers of mechanoreceptors in rabbit ACL: the effects of ageing.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. taydog@hacettepe.edu.tr
authors.forename: Sedat Tolga
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Aydoğ
authors.forename: Petek
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korkusuz
authors.forename: Mahmut Nedim
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Doral
authors.forename: Onur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tetik
authors.forename: Haydar Ali
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Demirel
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000294:innervation*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D017612:Gold Compounds; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D023421:Models, Animal; D010141:Pacinian Corpuscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D017612:Gold Compounds; C038016:gold chloride