Neo-Natal Castration Leads to Subtle Differences in Porcine Anterior Cruciate Ligament Morphology and Function in Adolescence.

ABSTRACT: Female adolescent athletes are at a higher risk of tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than male counterparts. While most work related to hormones has focused on the effects of estrogen to understand the increased risk of ACL injury, there are other understudied factors, including testosterone. The purpose of this study was to determine how surgical castration in the male porcine model influences ACL size and function across skeletal growth. Thirty-six male Yorkshire crossbreed pigs were raised to 3 (juvenile), 4.5 (early adolescent), and 6 months (adolescent) of age. Animals were either castrated (barrows) within 2 weeks after birth or were left intact (boars). Posteuthanasia, joint and ACL size were assessed via MRI, and biomechanics were assessed via a robotic testing system.

SUBMITTER: Thompson JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10680984 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature